SAM CARCHIDI PREVIEWS THE
2019PHILLIES
BÉISBOL LATIN AMERICA’S GAME IN PHILADELPHIA
George Anastasia’s
MOB SCENE
Volume 9 • Number 2 – $3.95
Ron Jaworski’s Golf Empire 97.5 FM The Fanatic On-Air Personality
Natalie
Egenolf
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PUBLISHER
FROM JerseyMan Magazine THE VOLUME 9 • NUMBER 2 ____________________________________________________________________________________ BY KEN DUNEK Ken Dunek Publisher
The Art of Giving JUST TOOK A FANTASTIC VACATION to the Dominican Republic with the family. The weather, food, and accommodations were all top notch.
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Ashley Dunek EDITOR George Brinkerhoff ART DIRECTOR Steve Iannarelli
She was middle-aged, with a weather-worn face and a pleasant smile. She might have been five feet tall. Her name was Kenia. She carried no table but would rub you on a towel on the sand or on a pool chair.
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS George Anastasia, Jan L. Apple, George Brinkerhoff, Sam Carchidi, Harry Donahue, Alexandra Dunek, Ashley Dunek, Mark Eckel, Robert Kennedy, Mike Kern, Sam Kraft, Dei Lynam, Anthony Mongeluzo, Nick Santangelo, Kurt Smith, T. Jordan Wompierski
Now I have to tell you that I get a regular massage a couple times per month. The cost is $30 per half hour plus tip locally here in South Jersey.
Administrative Assistants Alexandra Dunek
Kenia’s price was $14 per half hour plus tip… and tip was optional. She also split the fee with the owner of the service she worked for. Toiling in the hot sun giving rubs to strangers for $7 every 30 minutes.
Assistant Events Coordinator Jamie Dunek
We meet a tiny female vendor on the beach who speaks no English, other than uttering the word… massage.
But Kenia seemed so happy. Especially when we brought her up to our patio in the shade of our condo and got her a massage table so she wouldn’t have to bend down so far. The price was so affordable that the whole family took her up on her services and had her return just about every other day. It was a good gig for Kenia. Especially when we gave her a $12 per hour tip. Now twelve bucks doesn’t sound like a lot here in the states. Might get you a vodka and soda at the country club, or bacon, eggs, and coffee at the diner. But Kenia was overwhelmed by our generosity. Tears welled up in her tiny brown eyes when we gave her the extra pesos. She tried to refuse, but we insisted. And she reluctantly tucked the money inside of her belt. The last day of our trip, Kenia paid us a surprise visit. She had purchased gifts for the entire family as a way of thanking us for our generosity. The trinkets ranged from a hand-woven bracelet to a necklace made with local stones. I’m not sure how much the gifts were worth. But it didn’t matter. A diminutive woman who could very well live in a grass shack took me aback. But the enormity of her heart and generosity dwarfed all of us. You see tiny little Kenia knows the secret. The more you give, the bigger you become.
Editorial 856-813-1153 Advertising 856-912-4007 Printing Alcom Printing, Harleysville, Pa. Controller Rose M. Balcavage Sales Associates Ashley Dunek, Jamie Dunek, Terri Dunek, Allison Farcus, JP Lutz JerseyMan/PhillyMan Advisory Board Peter Cordua (Chairman). . . HBK CPAs & Consultants Dave Czarnecki. . . . . . . . . . CzarStar/Kriebel Security Nick DeRose. . . . . . . . . . . Legacy Treatment Services Joseph Devine (Emeritus). . . . . . . . . Kennedy Health Ted Flocco (Emeritus). . . . . . . . . . . . . Ernst & Young Cate Heaman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Prelude Solutions Bob Hoey. . . . . . . . . . . . . Janney Montgomery Scott John Hopkins. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inspirit Growth Robert Kennedy. . . . . . . . . . The Kennedy Companies Julie LaVan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LaVan Law Michael MacFarland. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TD Bank Anthony Mongeluzo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PCS Mike Regina. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Big Sky Enterprises Greg Star . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carvertise Les Vail. . . . . . Gloucester Co. Chamber of Commerce John White. . . . . . . . . . . . Peerless Business Advisors
“A bit of baseball wisdom. You can’t steal second with your foot on first.” Photo Jamie Dunek
– Tony Robbins JerseyMan Magazine/PhillyMan Magazine, products of the partnership of Ken Dunek, and Anthony Mongeluzo, are published by New Opportunity Publishing, LLC, with offices at 7025 Central Highway, Pennsauken, NJ, 08109. Copyright 2018.
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INSIDE 22 WELCOME TO GOLF’S RESET
by HARRY DONAHUE
24 ELTON BRAND
by DEI LYNAM
30 JAWS IS STILL SWINGING
Ron Jaworski’s golf empire
36 BÉISBOL
The time is now for Latin America’s game in Philly
44 PHILLIES PREVIEW
by SAM CARCHIDI
50 DRAFT KINGS, ACES & JOKERS
Hits (and misses) from past Eagles’ drafts
54 SPORTS BETTING
March Madness has never been more aptly named.
58 MARK BAIADA
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JerseyMan Magazine VOLUME 9 • NUMBER 2
“Never let the fear of striking out get in your way.” – Babe Ruth
ON THE COVER
Natalie
Egenolf
40 P.
Nat talks about Philly sports, her growing fame in the city and her take on sports media in the City of Brotherly Love
62 LUX IT OR LEAVE IT
Kelly Straka’s unique staging & design company, Lux-Living
COLUMNS
1 2 J O T T I N G S • 1 8 G E O R G E A N A S TA S I A ’ S M O B S C E N E • 2 6 G E T F I T 72 THE CIGAR GUY • 76 TECH TIME • 78 THE WINE MAN
jerseymanmagazine.com
Cover photograph Jeremy Messler Photography LLC
JOTTINGS
from
______________________________________________________________________________ BY GEORGE BRINKERHOFF
Eyesore
o
nce upon a time, before the advent of fast food joints with drive-up windows, you’d pull your car in under the carport roof and turn on your headlights when you were ready to order. Out came a waitress/carhop, maybe even wearing roller skates, and when your food and drinks were ready, delivered it directly to your driver’s side door.
Weber’s Root Beer stands in New Jersey have been around since the 1950s and this one on Route 130 in Brooklawn, closed since 2014, was the oldest of their three New Jersey locations. Besides being the first, this location was also home to Weber’s Wave, the very first public skateboard park in South Jersey, which opened in July 1977. Of the other two Weber’s drive-ins in New Jersey, the location in Pennsauken was the only one still continuing the hamburger and root beer drive-in tradition in New Jersey. A month ago, the new owner of the Stratford (NJ) Weber’s location announced that he will reopen the site again soon as a retro drive-in, after having been closed for four years. Maybe there’s hope for this iconic Weber’s Root Beer location too! 12
Photos George Brinkerhoff
I C O N to
Photos bonesawbrewing.com
What’s On Tap?
The Bonesaw Brewing Co. team
Bonesaw Brewing Company of Glassboro, NJ, is
the only New Jersey brewery to be nominated by the beer experts at USA TODAY 10 Best as one of their best new breweries in the country since 2016, in their Reader’s Choice 2019 poll, so congratulations! Sure, one of their founders is actually an Orthopedic Surgeon, hence the very cool name Bonesaw. And, yes, they have some quasi-anatomical and medical-sounding monikers for some of their beers, like a Vienna Lager called Crimson Skull, a Doppelbock named Amputator and a German Pilsner simply referred to as Pummel. Okay, that last one sounds more like something sort of pre-medical, but you get the point. And the point is that not only have they put a lot of thought into their branding, they’ve also put a lot of thought, as well as mouth-wateringly appealing flavors, into the craft brew they produce. Their bench consists of a well-rounded mix of IPA’s, Belgian Ales, and Lagers alongside some Brown Ales, Cream Ales, Porters and Stouts, with a rotating selection of specialty seasonal offerings. And if that’s not enough, they even produce a Nitro Cold Brew Coffee, as well as Bonesaw Specialty Craft Sodas. And just top it all off they even have a wide selection of hats, t-shirts and sweatshirts available, all featuring their nifty name and logo. Their brand new facility on Route 322 has a vast tasting room with floor to ceiling windows where you can observe the fine craft brew in the making. Go ahead and do like I did—come in for the great Bonesawbrewing.com name and stay for the cold, tasty brews!
13
ONE OF A KIND… LITERALLY
Photo bugatti.com
HEY, HERE’S A SPECTACULAR NEW CAR FOR YOU! Well, it would be if you have a spare $19 million lying around. Sadly, though, there’s only one production run. Well, yeah, it is one production run, but what I meant is it’s a production run of one. As in vehicle. One car. That they are making. (Talk about a small market.) Even sadder, perhaps, it’s already sold. Yes, it’s the most expensive new car ever sold. Bugatti’s La Voiture Noire is the latest from the car
14
company which also gave us the Veyron ($1.7 million), the Chiron ($2.9 million) and the Divo ($5.8 million). Servicing these cars can cost you a pretty penny or two as well. In fact, an oil change for the lowest price model Veyron runs between $20,000 to $25,000 dollars. (Talk about high maintenance!) Well, I’ll keep an eye out for you for their next exclusive model. I know you won’t want to miss it. Should be a real humdinger!
BASEBALL ON ICE
O
VER 150 YEARS AGO, a little known sport was just beginning to take shape. Baseball? Think again. By the 1860s, baseball was sweeping the nation. Amateur clubs were forming, and the game that was soon to be played by professionals which would become America’s favorite pastime for the next century was then evolving. But some enterprising folks weren’t happy with the fact that playing baseball had to end when the weather turned cold. So someone concocted a solution, a way to thumb their nose at winter and keep on tossing the old bean bag all year long. ‘Hey, how about we strap on some ice skates and play some baseball on this frozen pond!’ With all the associated perils of playing a game formerly tethered to the earth, now played on skate blades, it apparently became a fan favorite. Games were announced in the newspapers and, weather permitting, throngs actually showed up to watch the spectacle. On a particularly windy day on January 4, 1879, at Prospect Lake in Brooklyn, NY, the essence of ice baseball was forever frozen in the vernacular of the day by a New York Daily Herald reporter: “At the home base were two narrow slits or hollows for the batter to secure the runners of his skates in when about to strike; but even this foothold proved insufficient, and an unexpected or inartistic pirouette or a downright fall not infrequently followed the swinging of the bat. It was seldom that the ball reached the fielder on the fly, but if it struck on the ice a gust of wind would carry it away with lightning-like rapidity. One stalwart batter managed to get in a blow that sent the leather-covered yarn further than it had before been knocked or blown, but in his eager haste to make a home ‘run’ he went down on his second stroke and had scarcely regained his feet before the ball had passed through the hands of the right fielder and the first baseman and was about to leave those of the pitcher for the bat. Midway between the home and first bases lay a wide sheet of snow, across which it was impossible to skate, so that the player had to break out into a desperate run. The fielders had little to do and seemed in imminent danger of being turned into pillars of ice, and doubtless would have suffered some serious injury had not the innings been short. The greatest difficulty was found to be in starting rapidly and coming to a sudden stop, and few players made the rounds of the bases without scraping more intimate acquaintance with the ice than their skates afforded them.” – New York Daily Herald, January 5, 1879 Imagine Ty Cobb or Babe Ruth playing ball on ice skates. How about Bryce Harper? Nope, doesn’t sound dangerous at all. In fact, it sounds like a blast. n 15
Hair O’ The Dog Celebrates 25 Years – Philadelphia, PA
LAUNCH Trampoline Park Grand Opening – Delran, NJ
Owner Jason Avant and the Eagles Cheerleaders. Maria J Photography Hair O’ The Dog, Voted Best Event in Philly, commemorated 25 years at The Crystal Tea Room in Center City Philadelphia. This year, the glamorous gala had a galactic “out of this world” theme and was hosted by radio and television personality, Mina “Say What” Llona. Partygoers enjoyed gourmet fare and top-shelf libations, along with multiple topnotch performances. Guests wagged their tails off to music by world-renowned DJ’s and acts such as DJ K Styles, DJ N9NE, Mr. Hollywood DJ, Frankie V., famed Dance Music artist, Party Favor, and two-time Grammy-Award winner, T-Pain. Hair O’ The Dog always donates a portion of the event’s proceeds to charity, and this year America’s first animal shelter, Morris Animal Refuge was the named beneficiary. An official City of Philadelphia Mayoral Citation was presented to event founders, Dan Cronin and Rob Molinaro, and Event Director Buffy Harakidas to honor their past 25 years of hard work and dedication. Photos by Paul Csi of Lafayette Hill Studios.
Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting Crust N Fire – Voorhees, NJ
Jason Avant and Eagles broadcaster Merrill Reese. Maria J Photography 16
Participants left to right, Mario DiNatale (Director, Community & Economic Development), Lisa Goldwasser (President Voorhees Business Association), Giovanni Visceglia (Owner), Michael Mignogna (Voorhees Twp. Mayor) Giovanni Taccardi (Co owner) Mel Zimmerman (President Business Entitlement Services).
Samaritan’s Celebration of Life Gala – Cherry Hill, NJ
Samaritan recognized three families for their dedication to Samaritan (from left) Darryl & Andrea Gladden, Carl & Mary Beth Buehler, Cliff & Kathy Mancine.
President/CEO Mary Ann Boccolini, Board Member Rhonda Cates, and Board Vice Chair Nandini Natrajan
President/CEO Mary Ann Boccolini, Board Samaritan Board Chair Phillip Health with Member Rhonda Cates, and Board Vice wife Marchè Chair Nandini Natrajan
Pam Fazio, Samaritan Board Member Roy Fazio, and Abbigail Ametrano with cheerleaders 17
MOB SCENE
_______________________________________________________________________________ BY GEORGE ANASTASIA
Two Real Life Gangster Tales Ripe for the Silver Screen
S
EVERAL YEARS AGO, I wrote a book with Glenn Macnow, the radio sports commentator, about mob movies. It was called the Ultimate Book of Gangster Movies and it opened with these lines: “Walk into any bar where guys hang out and it’s a good bet they are discussing one of three topics—sports, women or movies. It’s also a good bet that most of those guys can speak with knowledge and intelligence about two of those topics. This is a book about one of them— movies. More specifically gangster movies.” The book went on to list what we considered the 100 best mob movies of all time and included an essay on each film along with lots of trivia and other stories related to the real life and reel life of the gangster. Two new books, one published late last year and one that was scheduled to be released last month, have refocused attention on the mob and the movies. The first, and better of the two, is HANDSOME JOHNNY, The Life and Death of Johnny Rosselli: Gentleman Gangster, Hollywood Producer, CIA Assassin. Written by Lee Server, the book is a fascinating account of the life and times of one of the more significant—yet least publicized—gangsters in American history. Born Filippo Sacco in a small town near Naples, Rosselli came to America as a child with his immigrant parents in the early 1900s, settling in Boston. How and why he changed his name, how he became a major player in the underworld with strong ties to the Chicago Outfit and how he positioned himself as the point man for the mob in the early days of Hollywood are all part of the Johnny Rosselli story. And that’s only the first act. There’s also an account of his days as the mob’s rep in Las Vegas and his dealings with the eccentric billionaire Howard Hughes, his involvement with the CIA, the plot to kill Cuban dictator Fidel Castro and the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. It’s American history from the underworld’s perspective and Server has done a great job researching and writing a story that revolves 18
around the dapper, charismatic and soft-spoken wiseguy who could have stepped off one of the movie sets in which he had a hidden interest. Equally entertaining is HOLLYWOOD GODFATHER, My Life in the Movies and the Mob written by Gianni Russo with Patrick Picciarelli. Russo played Don Corleone’s son-inlaw Carlo Rizzi in the classic mob movie and frankly writes that he has used that connection to build a series of careers in both the entertainment industry and the underworld.
WOMEN? Russo said he was running errands for Costello and working in a hair salon when he met a young starlet through his mob ties. They ended up spending lots of time in bed. Her name? Marilyn Monroe. After she became a star, she moved in some of the same Hollywood and political circles that he did, and they reconnected, at least socially. Her death, ruled a drug overdose, was, in fact, a politically-ordered murder, he contends. GANGLAND? Russo recounts how the mob had to okay the filming of The Godfather, and how he was able, through his neighborhood connections and ties to Costello, to get the movie greenlighted by the wiseguys, including mob boss Joe Colombo whose Italian-American Civil Rights League was threatening to scuttle the film. He also writes that he was warned off attending a 1972 civil rights league rally in New York during the filming of The Godfather, a rally at which Colombo was shot. Russo said his failure to take a seat on the stage in Columbus Circle that day led some in Colombo’s organization to suspect he had played a role in the hit.
“Handsome” Johnny Rosselli His memoir is both incredible and fantastic—incredible as in hard-to-believe and fantastic as in are you making this stuff up? Russo emerges as an underworld Forrest Gump, a character who happened to be on hand for virtually every major mob-linked historic event in the 20th century. Now in his seventies, Russo’s story begins in New York and includes a harrowing account of how he spent nearly five years as a youngster confined to a polio ward in a city hospital. Describing himself as a hustler who was always looking for a way to make money, he said he was taken under the wing of legendary New York mob leader Frank Costello as a teenager. His story takes off from there.
DRUGS? The book opens with Russo shooting a narco-trafficker who had brutally slashed a woman in the Las Vegas restaurant that Russo owned. The drug dealer died. Russo was exonerated criminally, but eventually had to plead his case to a higher court, the drug dealer’s boss. The drug boss? Pablo Escobar. Who else? He met with the cocaine kingpin in Colombia. The meeting was arranged by none other than John Gotti, a mob boss whom Russo said he neither liked nor trusted. Russo believes he was set up to be killed by Gotti, but that once Escobar realized Russo had played a key role in his favorite movie, all was forgiven. But only after Russo agreed to act out a scene from the movie with Escobar in the role of Michael Corleone.
HIGH FINANCE? Russo details how he was a courier for the mob, taking money skimmed from Las Vegas casinos to Rome where the mob, through its connections to the Vatican Bank, was able to set up a money laundering operation. He also claims the mob knocked off Pope John Paul I because the pontiff planned to end the highly lucrative, multi-million dollar scheme. His experiences moving money to the Vatican, he writes, came in handy later when he was asked to expedite the removal of millions of dollars from Iran. The money belonged to the Shah who was about to be deposed by the mullahs. POLITICAL INTRIGUE? Russo writes that he was serving as a messenger for Costello in 1963 when he was sent to meet with New Orleans mob boss Carlos Marcello. During the meeting, Russo said he noticed another man that day who had also met with Marcello that day. The man? Lee Harvey Oswald. Costello, Russo writes, sent him to live in Europe after the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Russo believes this was Costello’s way of keeping him out of harm’s way as the feds and the mob cleaned up loose ends following the JFK hit. Johnny Rosselli, who also was believed to have intimate knowledge of the mob’s involvement in the Kennedy assassination, wasn’t as lucky. In 1976 his decomposing body was found in a 55-gallon steel drum floating in the bay near Miami. Some said he was killed by the mob because he had testified before a U.S. Senate committee looking into CIA plots to kill Castro in which he had played a role. Others said he was dispatched because of what he knew about the mob’s involvement in the murder of JFK. The Kennedy assassination and CIA plans to bump off Castro are two of the historical moments in which the Rosselli and Russo stories overlap. Another is their heavy involvement in the mob’s business in Las Vegas. Rosselli was a made guy who traced his mob origins back to Al Capone. Russo said he never wanted the button, but traced his mob ties back to Costello, a mob figure just as powerful and legendary as Scarface. Rosselli was a Mafia diplomat who used the power of the organization to negotiate deals and take care of business. Russo was a hustler who used his mob ties to wheel and deal in both the underworld and in Hollywood. Both men benefitted financially from their links to the organization. Both had more than their share of beautiful women along the way. And both had an up close and personal view of
the role organized crime played in some pivotal moments in American history. Rosselli’s story is presented with detailed documentation. It is a highly researched account by a credible writer. Russo’s personal memoir is a fascinating but at times hard to believe saga. It’s like Forrest Gump’s box of chocolates—you’re never quite sure about the content. Both would make great films that would certainly be included in an expanded version of Ultimate Book of Gangster Movies. For those interested, the top five films in that book were: 1. The Godfather 2. The Godfather, Part II 3. Goodfellas 4. On the Waterfront 5. Pulp Fiction The only serious debate over rankings that I remember Glen Macnow and I had involved the Al Pacino remake of Scarface. I think Glen wanted it in the top ten. I didn’t even want it in the top twenty. We settled on ranking it at 16. The original Scarface starring Paul Muni came in at 11. The rankings were subjective, of course, and were based on the cinematic quality of the film, its social and historical impact and our personal likes and dislikes. Overall, I think the rankings, now eight
years after the book was published, hold up pretty well. Separate and apart were my favorite mob movies, which may shed some light on where I was coming from as an evaluator. My favorites are Leon (The Professional), The Pope of Greenwich Village and The Friends of Eddie Coyle. They were ranked 13, 21 and 38. Just something to talk about the next time you’re sitting in a bar with a group of friends. This would be after you’ve grown tired of talking about sports and you’ve realized that when it comes to women, we don’t have a clue. n
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HARRY DONAHUE
_______________________________________________________________________________
If You Build It, They Will Come…Maybe WELCOME TO GOLF’S RESET. Over the last 20 years, the game has gone from the “Tiger Boom” to a “Sky is falling” prediction, especially among private clubs. The National Golf Foundation (NGF) reported approximately six percent of the country’s golf courses closed since 2006. In 2017, permanent closures totaled 205 of the more than 15,000 courses. The top five states for closings were Ohio, California, Florida, Michigan and Texas. The U.S. is still home to 45 percent of global courses. Here’s something else to consider: the industry was set up to fail. There were far too many courses (4,000 plus) developed between 1986 and 2005. Clearly, supply overreached an increasing demand. The NGF’s Chief Business Officer, Greg Nathan, predicts the course closing trend “will continue.” The number of golfers last year, however, held steady or actually increased according to certain metrics. Almost 24 million people played a round of golf in the U.S. last year, no change from the previous year. Total rounds increased in two of the past three years. Another 8.3 million people played “off course,” a seven percent increase from 2017. What’s off course? Such experiences include Top Golf, indoor simulators and driving ranges. Other metrics which continued to trend higher included first time golfers, women, juniors and non-Caucasians. Locals in the industry, like the Union League’s Director of Golf Sean Palmer, still search for ways to make the game more than a passing interest. “My father’s generation would belong to a country club and that would be their identity,” Palmer said. “We don’t think younger people put a premium on that identity [which] others used to. Older generations would buy a boat and identify as sailors. My generation takes a boating class, sails to the Bahamas once and takes up skiing. They want to take on more experiences.” In 2014, The Union League acquired a struggling Torresdale-Frankford Country Club. Three years later it purchased Sand Barrens, outside Avalon, NJ, with plans for a multi-year renovation project and a new name, Union League National. One idea the Union League has developed is weekly, complimentary golf lessons for members at both courses.
Results have shown 100 percent renewal of golf memberships, stronger support of food and beverage offerings, an increase in pro shop purchases, and (drum roll) a drop in handicap indexes. Another Shore venue, Hidden Creek, developed by Roger Hansen in 2002, was sold early this year to the Dormie Network. It’s now one of six venues that offer national memberships for one price. Six premium courses for the price of one. Two years ago, Dallas-based Club Corp, which owns and operates more than 200 clubs, took over North Hills Country Club in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Besides upgrades to the course and clubhouse, it recently completed an addition and remodeling of one of the club’s dining areas, including an adjacent high tech simulator room. “Simulators are a necessity,” said GM Mike Reilly. “It’s all about providing value to the members. It’s a year-round membership. It’s not just a golf membership. Not just a pool membership. We try and make as many amenities available as we can.” HREE YEARS AGO, fire destroyed the clubhouse at LuLu Country Club, a mostly private club in Glenside, PA. It’s taken time to rebuild but Jon Rusk, the club’s owner and GM, is now looking forward to a brand new clubhouse this summer. “When the fire occurred we had 180 members,” he said. “We now have over 300. The first thing people look for is what’s closest to their home. Eighty percent of our membership is within five miles of the club. The second thing is price. A lot of our members were tired of paying a lot of money (at other clubs) and said, ‘I can come to LuLu and pay $3,500.’” Philadelphia Cricket Club is atypical when it comes to a private golf club. For starters, the Cricket Club has two separate locations. On the original site, founded in 1895 in Chestnut Hill, there remains a nine-hole golf course, tennis courts and a venerable clubhouse. At its second location, a few miles away in Flourtown, there’s the renowned Wissahickon course, opened in 1922, and the 17 year old Militia Hill course. Another distinction is its membership rolls, which total up to three times the number of other private clubs in the area. “A lot of people use different types of our facilities,” Director of Golf
T
The industry was set up to fail. There were far too many courses developed. Supply overreached an increasing demand. 22
Jim Smith, Jr. observed. “The challenge is what do we offer to make sure golf is a part of people’s lives. Happy people use the place more than unhappy people.” A new addition to Applebrook Golf Club in Paoli, PA, has been an indoor-outdoor performance center with three bays, each equipped with Trackman and simulators. “We’re fortunate to have the membership who [financially] support these types of efforts,” said Head Pro Dave McNabb. “Without younger people making use of the club, then, you’re not going to have a club down the road.” Medford Village Country Club is in an area with two other private facilities, Little Mill and Medford Lakes. Unlike those two, Medford Village is a full-service Country Club. The membership target is basically families with children. The numbers (approximately 330) have been steady for the last few years. “If you’re not reinventing yourself, you’re going to be passed by,” said Head Pro Bob Doria. “We’re constantly making improvements to enhance the product.” Doria had experience trying to enhance the product when time is a precious commodity. “When I was at Makefield Highlands (Bucks County, PA) we did a weekend nine hole early bird special. We’d send them off the back nine and I’d sell out an hour and a half of tee times,” Doria recalled. “They’d say ‘I can play nine holes and get home before my wife knew I was gone.’” Meanwhile, on Valentine’s Day morning at North Hills, Paige Schuck joined two other women members for a light breakfast and a round of golf at Kapalua thanks to the new simulator. “There’s snow outside, it’s chilly but I can practice my game and get some swings in,” she said. “I think it’s an amazing feature for our club. We’re in Hawaii right now. What more could you want?” n
23
DEI LYNAM
______________________________________________
A Brand New Plan
F
IVE MONTHS AGO when the Sixers gathered on day one of the 2018 training camp, Head Coach Brett Brown put this city and his team on alert. “We want to play in the NBA Finals,” Brown said. “We feel we could have played in the NBA Finals [last season]. I understand the magnitude of that statement, but I stand by it. And I own it.” Last season Brown’s team made a significant jump going from 28 wins in 2017 to 52 a year later and making it to the Eastern Conference Semifinals where they lost in five games to their arch-rival, the Boston Celtics. The roster that competed against the Celtics last spring and the one that is currently battling to secure home court for at least the first round of the 2019 playoffs is drastically different. Moreover, Sixers fans can thank first-year general manager Elton Brand for being an active executive who had a plan and, with a little luck, made those plans a reality. “We believe we are in a position to contend now, and our moves reflect that belief,” Brand said after adding five new faces to the roster at the February 8th trade deadline, the most significant being 26-year old Tobias Harris. “Tobias is a prolific three-point shooter at 43 percent,” Brand said. “He is a matchup problem, tough to guard. He defends. He is a high-character person in the locker room, so he is an excellent fit for us.” When the Sixers acquired Harris in a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers, the 6’9” forward had Western Conference Player of the Month on his resume along with averaging 21 points and seven rebounds. Harris has lived up to his resume. He is everything that the Sixers had hoped to land this past summer when they went “star hunting” but failed. Brand pursued a different avenue to make the “hunting” trip a success once this season got underway. “It was an arms race,” Brand said of the trade deadline activity around the league. “Teams were trying to get better. Four of the best teams are in the Eastern Conference, and I 24
am glad we took a shot to get better early, and we will be prepared.” By the time Brand was working the phones at the trade deadline, he had already learned the ropes of how to acquire a top-tier NBA talent. Back in November Brand struck a deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves for fourtime all-star Jimmy Butler. It required him parting ways with young assets in Robert Covington and Dario Saric, but it was clear the former 17-year NBA veteran knew from experience that upgrading the roster was necessary if Brett Brown was going to make good on his opening day statement—NBA Finals or bust. “Coach Brown is committed to making this work, and I believe in him,” Brand said. “I think he can do a great job at making this core work. It is built for the future as well as built for now.”
“Many teams got better at the deadline. But that doesn’t change the fact that our goal is to get to the Finals.” Tobias Harris is on an expiring contract and will become an unrestricted free agent this summer. Jimmy Butler has a player option for the 2019-20 season, but the belief is he too will test free agency. The Sixers cannot extend the contract of either player right now, but they will have an opportunity, if they choose, to offer each more money than any other team in the league. “I have gotten all assurances from the managing partners that we can bring them back and sign them for what we need to Elton Brand sign them for,”
Brand disclosed. “Many things have to happen before that, but we are all on board to keep this core together long-term.” ONG-TERM took on new meaning in Philadelphia when the Phillies signed free agent Bryce Harper to a 13-year $330 million contract. The NBA does not allow for teams to spend “stupid” money, as Phillies owner John Middleton called it, but the pressure to produce a winner and keep the stars in place is mounting for all the professional teams in the City of Brotherly Love. Elton Brand is cognizant of his situation. “Seeing the growth of Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid, they rapidly improved over the last season making the window now,” Brand said of his aggressive approach to surrounding his two all-stars with greater experience and talent than a year ago. “When I saw an opportunity in that window we discussed it, because who knows how long this window is going to be open.” After trusting the process for five years, Brand and company have assembled a group that they hope you will watch as they proceed, hopefully playing meaningful basketball well into the spring of 2019. “Many teams got better at the deadline,” Brand reiterated. “But that doesn’t change the fact that our goal is to get to the Finals. I will be disappointed if we don’t get to the Eastern Conference Finals and do well. However, we are still in a position to get better in the future, but I would be disappointed.” In a year of tremendous satisfaction, there is no reason to think disappointment is on the horizon. n
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GET FIT
For more guidance follow Alexandra, NASM Certified
Personal Trainer on Instagram at @TipsfromAFitChick ______________________________________________________________________________________________
BY ALEXANDRA DUNEK
Fire For Effect – Giving the Absolute All
I
F YOU WERE TO ASK JAMES TAULBEE about his life prior to now, his answer, “touring Iraq as an Infantry Marine,” might surprise you. Taulbee, of York, Pa. is the founder and owner of Fire for Effect Athletics and his training facility embodies his 20 years of service in the United States Armed Forces. The former three-sport athlete and Combat Veteran turned to strength training after suffering issues with his back as a result of his deployment. Trading common medicine for exercise ultimately saved his life and led him to launch Fire for Effect Athletics.
“Fire for Effect is a military term in the artillery community. If I, as an infantryman, see a target that I can effectively engage by talking to the artillery on the radio, I talk them onto target. Once they are on target, I relay the command ‘Fire for Effect’ which means ‘hit it with everything you’ve got.’ I want people to give their own health and fitness their absolute all, while also waving a flag to Veterans in the community; they instantly know it is a Veteran owned business.” The gym officially opened in December of 2017 offering a one-hour group workout of the day (WOD for short), private personal training and an Olympic barbell class. When asked what kind of equipment they have, Taulbee explained. “Not machines. We do things that emulate life, functional movements. We focus our programming and methodology around Strongman and Powerlifting...scary words at first glance, but they aren’t. Barbells and bumper plates, pull-up bars, kegs ranging from empty and light up to hundreds of pounds, atlas stones, gymnastics rings, monkey bars, kettlebells, medicine balls, tires, boxes, and most importantly of all ... your body!” If that’s not an ode to the military, then you can bet this is: Fire for Effect Athletics has eight coaches, four of whom are also Veterans like Taulbee himself. The staff is an important part of the training facility and one of the key components to the client and company’s overall success. Here is some advice from both Taulbee and myself on what to do and what not to do if you are weight lifting or strength training. Make sure you hit it with everything you’ve got! 26
James Taulbee
Do’s James: Work with a good coach who will place emphasis on your total development ... that includes nutrition (if you hear things like “cleanse” and “shakes” run). One of the biggest roadblocks we run into is people not getting the correct caloric intake and not hydrating. Make sure you are resting; rest days are equally important as training days. Old school strength is what we have here. Stay away from machines because they don’t mimic real life demands that you run into every day, like
picking up children and dog food.
feel the need to run miles and miles every day. As a matter of fact, limit distance running. There’s a reason why no other creature on the planet runs for extended periods of time.
Alex: Make recovery a priority. This can be done by rest days, stretching, foam rolling, traditional or deep-tissue massages or techniques like float therapy and cryotherapy. Also, set yourself up for success. If you have an early morning class, then pack your gym bag the night before and sleep in your workout clothes. Prepare your meals or order from a meal prep company. Wash and cut up your fruits and vegetables so they are simple to grab and go. Make things effortless so you are not tempted to resort to old behavior.
Don’t punish yourself with food... EAT. Eat ENOUGH and eat the CORRECT things. Alex: Don’t lift too heavy. Lift with purpose instead of ego. As tempting as it is to crank out some heavy reps, most likely you are compromising your form in the process, which in turn compromises your overall progress. Bump the weight down a little and shift your focus from heavy weight to correct form. I bet you will notice a difference. Taulbee summed up his philosophy this way: “My incentive is to help others live strong, fit, limitation free lives, while also placing a special emphasis on Veterans outreach. I wanted to create a community where they can come and find a new comfort zone and fight things like posttraumatic stress (which I myself was diagnosed with after my second deployment to Iraq).”
Dont’s James: Don’t overtrain. Listen to your body, know the difference between “I’m sore,” and “I need to take a rest day.” Don’t get wrapped around cycles and numbers and percentages. Life is not X week cycle, so what sense does it make to focus on such arbitrary things? Don’t Photos Hannah Taulbee
Fire for Effect Athletics is located at 123 Leverington Avenue in Philadelphia. For more information or to register for a class, please visit www.fireforeffectath.com. Your first workout is free! n
Working out at Fire for Effect Athletics
Tag me @TipsFromAFitChick on Instagram if you try these workout tips! Instagram: @FireForEffectAthletics Facebook: Fire For Effect Athletics
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SPORTS GUYS
Still Swingin’ Long before he ever threw an NFL pass or became a popular analyst for ESPN, Ron Jaworski began what turned into a lifetime love affair with golf. RiverWinds
BY MIKE KERN 30
Ron Jaworski has built a golf empire that currently includes seven courses, five in South Jersey and two in Pennsylvania.
This, for someone who grew up in upstate New York. Where, as he puts it, “the golf season only lasts about four days a year.” Nonetheless … “There was a nine-hole public course that, if I wanted to play, I’d go to the second hole,” said the man who’s better known as Jaws from his decade (1977-86) of playing quarterback for the Eagles. “I couldn’t afford to pay for a round so I snuck on. There was actually a par 3, I think like the fourth or fifth hole, that was right near the middle school I went to. At lunch, we’d grab a sandwich and go try to hit the ball across the water. That was our lunch break. It made me really, really enjoy the game. Ever since then, I’ve been hooked on it.” The course, South Park, is still there. Jaworski, who’s now 67, has driven by it many times on his trips back home. And all those
early memories remain. “I haven’t played it in a long, long time,” he readily acknowledges. “But for me, that’s where it started. I think I could get over the water with a little less effort these days. I mean, it’s only about 110 yards. But back then… .” A second-round draft pick out of Youngstown State by the Los Angeles Rams, he came to the rebuilding Eagles and helped lead them to a Super Bowl. Then he made a name for himself on television. And along the way, he’s built a golf empire that currently includes seven courses, five in South Jersey and two in Pennsylvania. “Over the years we’ve either managed or owned twenty golf courses,” Jaws said. “I never would have thought. I would’ve been happy with one golf course. Then, as we developed the business model, we realized it could be a nice nest egg down the road.” The “we” in that equation would be his family, namely wife Liz and son BJ, who has a plus two handicap. “When we started, I was still doing my thing professionally,” he noted. “So, I had to have people I could trust. That’s how my family got involved. It was a lot of hard work, by a lot of people. It wasn’t just me.” In 1979, he and teammate John Bunting leased and managed the Abington Club, a nine-hole facility and health club in Jenkintown. “I’d always been one of those guys who thought, ‘Hey, my career could end on the next play,’” Jaws explained. “For whatever reason, I understood that this wasn’t going to last forever. In the back of my mind, I wanted to keep my options open for when my playing days were over. So that’s where I kind of cut
“Now I had to get serious about it,” he said, “because I invested my money. I absolutely loved turning that place around. It was a phenomenal facility, a cool place. It was like THE place in Gloucester County for like 15 years.” Of course, most people remember it for what it was renamed, Eagles Nest. Only made sense, right? AS HE WAS GROWING THE COMPANY, he ran a course in York, PA and another in Delaware. Then, in the late 1990s, someone made him an offer he couldn’t turn down. So, he didn’t. And he figured that was pretty much that, as far as golf was concerned. He was wrong. “The money just blew Liz and me away,” he recalled. “We could work the next twenty years and not make that. So, we were out. We had a non-compete clause for a year. After that, we decided to start it up again.” And the rest, as the cliché goes… “You have to have a strategic plan when you’re going in,” said Jaworski, who has a reputation of being a shrewd negotiator and no-nonsense operator. “Number one, you can’t overpay. Then you’re just trying to dig out of a hole. Normally, I will find a distressed property that’s been run down, and someone wants to get rid of it. They’re tired of it. So, you run the numbers to see if it’ll work. “We have a great team. Charlie Clark is our executive superintendent. He’s my right hand. We go in, see what’s there, come up with a budget and make decisions. Fortune Magazine wrote about my model. It’s out there. It’s what I do. One thing I truly believe in, and it makes
“ You have to have a strategic plan when you’re going in. Number one, you can’t overpay.” my teeth on the business of golf. We had a partner, Hugh Reilly, who came from a family of golf fanatics. He taught me.” A few years later the “next step” was working at Burn Brae in Upper Dublin, which became Twining Valley. But the big move in the process was purchasing a club near his South Jersey home, Tall Pines, which was in bankruptcy. He was able to buy it from the bank. Which meant the ante had gone up. Considerably.
a difference, is that nobody is going to outwork us. I felt that way as a player. I was never the biggest, the fastest, strongest or smartest. But I would find a way to beat you, because I was going to outwork you.” Jaworski’s properties are Blue Heron Pines, RiverWinds, Running Deer, Valleybrook, Ramblewood, Downingtown and Honeybrook. Anybody who saw the before and after pictures from Blue Heron can attest to what Jaws was able to do in a relatively 31
Running Deer
short period of time to bring a once-heralded track back to its former stature. And in fact, even made it better, mainly by removing the excess peripheral gunk that had accumulated through years of neglect and addressing the in-house service needs. It’s a formula he’s put in place at every location. “The first thing is, it has to have good bones,” Jaws said. “Blue Heron [which he took over in 2012] had great bones. It’s user-friendly, but you can make it really tough. It just wasn’t getting the proper attention it needed. I’d played it. I knew what it could be. I knew it could be polished up. We didn’t skimp. We went in there for a week and cleaned all the nasty stuff out. Made it playable again. So, five-and-a-half-hour rounds became 4:15. It was shock and awe. People couldn’t believe it was the same place. It became the place to go to down the shore.” In many ways, he’s even more proud of Running Deer, which hosted a U.S. Open qualifier last year. “And it held up,” he beamed. “The win-
Blue Heron Pines 32
ning score was even par. Oh my God. We have four GAP teams. And last year our No. 1 team [beat] Merion out [for a spot in Division AA]. That was kind of the talk of the area. “I threw a party for the guys.” JAWS WILL BE THE FIRST TO TELL YOU that the biggest part of making it is all the offerings beyond greens fees. “Margins are slim,” said Jaworski, who is looking at potential opportunities in Florida, in part because so many of his members go there in the winter. “We’ll do 107 weddings this year at Blue Heron. That’s mind-boggling. And that’s Liz’s side of it. She’s the president of the corporation. Her attention to detail is crazy. In 2018 we did 357 weddings [total], and we don’t do them at RiverWinds. That’s important. “There’s no magic wand, like ‘Oh, we’re going to get this property and it’s going to be great.’ That’s why I get so much satisfaction
from seeing it turn around. We have close to 500 members [at Running Deer] when everyone is dying for members. In Pittsgrove. I always hear how you’re going to lose money here. I don’t have time for that belief. Everything has to work. Not only the golf. It’s about social events, and being a neighborhood place. “I’m in a good spot in my life. I don’t have to beat up people for an extra five dollars to play a round. You know me, I’m in the bar talking to people. I love that. And I love to hear what they have to say. We listen. We want to be affordable. My wife always says, ‘Do the right things.’ We want our customers to have a great experience.” And so it goes. Doesn’t sound like he plans on slowing down any time soon. Good for us. “The only thing that can really impact us in a negative way is bad weather,” Jaworski stressed. “But I have confidence you can make money in golf, if you do a good enough job. I have respect for our competition. We need each other, to promote the game together. “Sometimes I have to pinch myself. I didn’t get one hundred percent focused on this until I retired. In college, I was a Health and Physical Education major, with a minor in Biology. I never trained for business. I’d probably be coaching if I wasn’t an NFL quarterback. Most of my life I was training to be an athlete. So, I was starting way behind everyone else. Maybe earning some money in football allowed me to do some things, but the fact is I wasn’t trained for this.” Hasn’t stopped him from leaving his mark, in an indelible way. n
BÉISBOL THE TIME IS NOW
FOR
LATIN AMERICA’S
GAME IN
PHILADELPHIA
BY NICK SANTANGELO
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Béisbol is back in Philadelphia. For the true diehards, maybe it never left. Maybe they still tuned into 162 games a year for each of the past five years. But like their English-speaking counterparts, most Spanish-speaking Phillies fans were likely waiting for something.
Photo Chip Fox
Phillies Spanish language broadcasters Bill Kulik, left, and Angel Castillo on the field at Citizens Bank Park
F
or many, that something arrived February 28 when the Phillies decided to go for it by signing a hirsute twenty-six-year-old from Las Vegas for a record-breaking $330 million. After 117 days as a free agent, Bryce Harper followed players like J.T. Realmuto, Andrew McCutchen and Jean Segura in joining the Phillies this offseason. Fans and analysts alike praised every Phillies trade and signing this offseason, but it was Harper’s addition that prompted many to suggest the time to return to the World Series could be now.
The Right Place at the Right Time Bill Kulik knows something about going to the World Series. The man whom Hispanic baseball fans call “El Gringo Malo” (more on that later), was part of the Spanish broadcast teams for the Phillies’ World Series victory in 2008 and return trip in 2009 after having called the Red Sox’s 2004 and 2007 Series victories. Kulik “didn’t think anything could top” the 2004 Sox championship, which broke an eighty-six-year World Series drought for Boston. Then he came to Philadelphia the summer that one hundred futile Philly sports seasons in a row were finally interrupted when Brad Lidge delivered 2008’s final strike to Car-
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“ We watched the Red Sox-Yankees game, and we cut a deal – basically on the back of an envelope – to get things going for a radio broadcast for the Red Sox in Spanish.” los Ruiz’s mitt. “They were starving, starving for a winner,” says Kulik of last decade’s Philadelphia sports fans. “And that park, Citizen’s Bank ballpark—everyone said, ‘Oh there’s electricity in Fenway Park’—there was electricity in Citizen’s Bank Park. “You did not want to be a visiting fan or player and come into Citizen’s Bank Park in those times. That place was rocking, and it was full of energy. So when we won in ‘08, it was just as electric as Boston. I’m on the parade route in Philadelphia saying, ‘I can’t believe this is happening to me again!’” But happen to him it did, though it wasn’t exactly by accident that a white man from New Jersey found himself narrating the reversal of both the Bambino and William Penn’s curses en Español. He seems to have had an almost preternatural ability to know exactly when to jump at an opportunity.
Baseball captured Kulik’s heart and mind when he was seven years old and spent his summers playing everything from Wiffle ball to hardball with his cousins. The sport was “almost like a drug” to him, and he became “addicted really, really fast.” Unfortunately, he had even less access to the game outside of summer than most Northeast ballplayers. As a child, his family moved out of the country and spent nine years living in Columbia, Brazil and Argentina. There, soccer (or fútbol) ruled. Baseball (or béisbol) didn’t. By the time he was old enough for high school, however, Kulik was back stateside. He played ball through his college years before breaking into sports broadcasting in early 1980s New England for a company that’s now part of Comcast. Flash forward to 1998 after then-Red Sox General Manager Dan Duquette acquired Pedro Martinez following the Dominican pitcher’s Cy
No Señor! Kulik has plans to continue growing and become essentially the Spanish equivalent of 97.5 The Fanatic and 94.1 WIP. Doing so year-round requires having more to talk about than just baseball. To that end, Kulik began Spanish broadcasts of Eagles games in 2012. Viral snippets of some of those broadcasts have even bled over into the English-speaking world of Eagles fandom. Take announcer Rickie Ricardo’s nearhysterical “No señor!” call of Chicago Bears’ Codey Parkey’s infamous doubledoink missed kick that won the Eagles a 2019 Wild Card game, for example. Kulik says Ricardo “was just being himself” in acting like “a fan in the moment.” That brand of mania is typical of Spanish broadcasts, Kulik says, including the Phillies broadcasts he and Angel Castillo (and formerly Ricardo) make. “When Americans hear it, they’re like ‘Oh my god, isn’t that cool!?’ So, it’s translating to the American audience when you can let your hair down and you can be a “homer.” You can be excited and everything.”
Young-winning 1997 season. During a YankeesSox series at Fenway, Kulik overheard Duquette ripping into his staff for not maximizing Martinez’s marketability among Hispanic baseball fans. “I literally kind of took a deep breath, broke away from the group, and I walked right into his office,” recalls Kulik. “I said, ‘Mr. Duquette, I can solve your problem.’ And he said ‘How’s that?’ And I said, ‘Well, I’m fluent in Spanish, that goes back to my living overseas; I’m an ex-player, that goes back to my college days; and I’m in the communications business, working for Comcast.’ “And, I swear to God he said, ‘Son, sit right down.’ And we watched the Red Sox-Yankees game, and we cut a deal—basically on the back of an envelope—to get things going for a radio broadcast for the Red Sox in Spanish.” From that, the Spanish Beisbol Network was born. It grew from there, including several transitions for Kulik himself. In the beginning, Kulik only produced, but that unexpectedly changed in June 2003 thanks to Sammy Sosa’s bat. Sosa earned an eight-game suspension for using a corked bat meant only for batting practice in an actual game. The on-air personality in a Kulik-produced Spanish talk show at the time was arguing
against the suspension since Sosa claimed to have used the bat by mistake. To Kulik, it sounded like whining, so he played the sound drop of Tom Hanks’ famous “There’s no crying in baseball!” quote from A League of Their Own. The host brushed Kulik off as “El Gringo Malo,” which essentially translates to “bad white guy” (but which Kulik now tries to sell as meaning badass white guy). Subjective translations aside, callers demanded El Gringo Malo come on the air to argue with them over the Sosa suspension. “The nickname stuck so much that if you go ask any of the Phillies Latino players who Bill Kulik is, they have no idea,” says the erstwhile corked crusader. “But you tell them El Gringo Malo, they go ‘Oh!’”
From Red Sox to Red Pinstripes Speaking of the Phillies, the Spanish Beisbol Network expanded to cover the local nine when team brass witnessed what Kulik and his team were doing for the Sox firsthand during an interleague series. The Phillies wanted their own Spanish broadcast. Realizing Philadelphia was a bigger market with a much larger Hispanic community, Kulik decided the time was right to expand. “The fans are so passionate,” says Kulik of Hispanic Phillies fans. That passion has only grown and become as locally focused as that of English-speaking Phillies fans. Where Delaware Valley Latinos once focused their fandom on the likes of David Ortiz, Albert Pujols and Pedro Martinez, these days they’re more concerned about the team in red pinstripes. What’s more, Kulik says callers to his Phillies talk show are now as likely to bring up Odubel Herrera or Maikel Franco as they are Zach Eflin or Scott Kingery. That’s why listeners weren’t quite as heartbroken over the Phillies losing out on Manny Machado to the San Diego Padres this offseason as they might have been over the team whiffing on a marquee Latino free agent in years past. Like every other Phillies fan, they simply turned their attention to Bryce Harper. Along with the team’s other new players this year, Kulik says Harper infuses the team not just with talent but also with character, attitude and leadership. With a leaner half decade now in the Phillies’ rearview mirror, even casual fans have multiple reasons to be excited again. But it’s on the shoulders of the left-handed slugger Harper that much of the fans’ hope now rests. Kulik saw it coming ahead of time. On February 27, he suggests a second interview but not before late the following day. Did he
know what would happen by then? He would later admit that he “kind of did.” Of course, it was that very day (February 28) when MLB Network’s Jon Heyman let fly his “Breaking: Bryce to Phillies” tweet. Non-Latino and Latino Phillies fans alike immediately went into a certifiable frenzy. “I obviously love the fact that we got him, and I love the terms of the contract because the terms of the contract make it look to me like Harper wants to be here. And in Philadelphia, I think that carries a little extra weight, in particular with the fans. They can be tough at times, but when you show loyalty to them, they’ll show it back to you. And the fact that he signed for thirteen years with no out clauses shows he wants to be a Phillie for the remainder of his career, and I am certain that Phillies fans will embrace him for that.” And if not for that, they will for Harper’s homers that are sure to come—homers that Kulik and his broadcast crew will excitedly call. And who knows? Maybe those homers will get Kulik to his fifth World Series. In fact, Kulik says the timing for that could come as soon as this October if the Phillies’ formidable lineup can outhit any mistakes its young pitching staff makes. If it does, Harper and the newlook Phils should win over even those fans who have questioned the logic of giving a thirteen-year, $330 million deal to someone who hit .249 and struggled in right field in 2018. After all, says Kulik, “winning cures everything.” n
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Jeremy Messler Photography
Philly
INTERVIEW BY KURT SMITH
Fanatic
Natalie Egenolf is the featured on-air personality and update anchor on The Mike Missanelli Show, weekday afternoons on 97.5 FM The Fanatic. Each day she holds her own, bantering with two seasoned studio professionals, Missanelli and his producer Tyrone Johnson, on one of the top-rated radio shows in the city. We recently caught up with Nat to talk about Philly sports, her growing fame in the city (she now has over 30,000 Twitter followers) and her take on sports media in the City of Brotherly Love.
KURT: How would you describe Philadelphia as a sports town? NATALIE: What I always tell people is that we have this super tough exterior, and I think the national media has painted that narrative, but really, we’re just a big bunch of lovers because we care so much. It’s really just because we love the city and we love the teams. We want to do everything we can to protect them. I don’t think that we’re like this gritty hard-ass fan base. We just love who we are, and we love our teams. K: Gritty is a great word… N: Gritty the mascot is a perfect example! Because on first appearances he’s this big, kind of crazy looking creature, but really, he’s just this big lover who squeaks and hugs and just wants to love everybody. K: The Phillies picked up Bryce Harper for pretty much the rest of his career. They also scored Andrew McCutchen and J.T. Realmuto. They’re obviously an improved team. Do you think it’s enough to win the NL East and maybe make an NLCS appearance? And do you think what they paid Harper will be worth it in the long run? N: The way the Phillies season went last year without Harper, McCutchen and Realmuto should have any Phillies fan optimistic they can make real waves in the NL East this year, and even make the NLCS. The Phillies are another year older and wiser as a team. This is [Gabe] Kapler’s second year with the guys and last season we were able to see players like Rhys Hoskins and Aaron Nola grow into their roles. Runs win baseball games, and if in 2019 the answer to get more runs costs $330 million, then that’s what has to be done. Fortune favors the bold, and I see no reason for any hesitancy to embrace Bryce Harper, his contract, and this improved lineup.
Baseball is truly back in Philadelphia, and it’s an incredible time to be a Phillies fan! K: Do you have a general characterization of the local radio guys especially? N: I feel like they essentially invented the wheel in Philadelphia. Prior to the late eighties, there was no sports radio. I think that what’s been incredible to see is people like Mike Missanelli, the way that they have lasted throughout this town. There was nobody who really did that before, so there was no precedent set, so they kind of invented it and it’s worked. It’s worked ratings wise and it’s worked for the fan base. There’s a reason why they are who they are, especially in this town. And there’s a reason why they’ve been doing it for 25 years. It’s because there was nobody to tell them that it was right or wrong. There was nobody there to say this is the right way to do it or this is the wrong way to do it. And what’s amazing about Mike is that he is able to go on the air and put on a show, it’s all sports content. But to have the ability to deliver it in an entertaining way that keeps people listening for hours at a time is what’s truly makes those guys special. K: I was reading about how you use social media. You’re bringing a new kind of face to that. Maybe not on your own, but you’re bringing a new attitude to it. N: All I wanted to do on the air was be myself, and people ask me about my social media and I’m like, that’s just me being me. I don’t think about what I’m going to tweet. There’s nothing that’s contrived or planned. I’m just kind of being me interacting with the fan base, because I just 41
Jeremy Messler Photography
feel like we all have this common ground, and if you can have discussions about not just sports but about other things in the world, that’s how you’d bridge the gap between a lot of differences. K: I think you’ll enjoy answering this question as a Philly sports girl. How would you describe the experience when the Eagles won the Super Bowl? N: I just now got the chills! I get really emotional and I woke up this morning, I’m like, oh my God, it’s been one year since the parade! When they lost in ‘05, it actually was a really weird time in my life. My grandmother was dying, and she ended up passing away the day after they lost. My family kind of jokes around that she was hanging around to see if they won. And then when they lost, she was gone. So, for them to come back and win it in my first year here, it was unbelievable. The night that they won, being out on the streets, being out on Broad Street, just seeing the whole city, people of all races and ages just coming together to celebrate, it was probably the best experience of my life. K: Do you have a favorite personal anecdote about that, a favorite moment? N: Probably for me it was the parade. I was assigned to do on the street work. I was walking up and down the parkway, and I had to get up to the Art Museum. I was trying to do call-ins to the shows that were on that day, and that was not happening, but I was still trying to do my job since I was credentialed with the Eagles last year. I was at the top of the Art Museum steps and I looked out, and the Super Bowl Champions banner was behind me. And just to be on the stage 42
and look up and see the big banner behind me. It was insane. I have a picture of that. K: Any other favorite moments in your career? N: One of my first gigs was with Phillies Nation TV. I was doing some little features for them, and I did a feature with Matt Stairs. And he taught me how to hit. I feel like that was one of those moments for me where I was truly just so happy to be in that moment. Every time I would do something like that, because I was working full time at the University of Penn, it would just reinvigorate my passion, and I’d be like, that was so cool! And I was better by the time we were done, I was actually a better hitter. K: You’ve talked about dealing with a lot of rejections in your career before getting to this point. N: There were three jobs that I was up for (in various Philly media outlets). I just didn’t have the skill set yet to do what they needed to do. I auditioned, and I thought this would be huge, this will be my big break, but I didn’t get it and I was crushed. They told me that it had nothing to do with me and that was even more crushing. At the time it just felt purposeless. Even very early on, once I graduated college, I thought, should I just abandon radio completely and take a more traditional path? I just figured, ‘I don’t have anything better to do, I might as well keep going’. I mean, that’s the God’s honest truth. And that’s what my mother would say to me, because she was my backbone through all of it. I was so passionate about it and she was like, I never want to see you lose that passion.
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WE [PHILLY FANS] JUST LOVE WHO WE ARE, AND WE LOVE OUR TEAMS.
K: So, would you say this is a dream gig? N: This is the dream. This was always what I was working toward. And now that I’m here… now what? What do I do next? K: Have you ever thought about hosting your own show? You would be better than that Fabulous Sports Babe (Nanci Donnellan, former syndicated sports radio host). Do you know who I’m talking about? N: Yes. K: You would be better. N: Thank you! (laughs).
I would like to continue in television. My new dream is actually to do 30 for 30 features on athletes, stuff like that. Because as much as I enjoy it, the in-game analysis and breakdown, I really enjoy people as a whole, and I feel like there’s a whole other side to athletes that people don’t get to see. Like how Malcolm Jenkins has not only all of his social justice causes, but he also has a suit line. So, my goal is to try and do that on TV. It
would be a thrill to host my own show, but I think I’m going to continue on maybe down the television route. K: You’re famous in this town now. What’s that experience been like for you? N: It’s been an adjustment, just because I’m not sure when people are looking at me and it’s because they recognize me. I’m just so thankful to anybody who does pay attention enough that they would know who I am. When I set out in this business doing this, honestly, I just wanted to have a job that I liked. It is a little strange though. One time I was out with my friends, it was the day the Phillies signed Jake Arrieta. I’m sitting there, and a guy came up to me, he’s like, ‘Hey Nat, the Phillies signed Arrieta!’ I think the coolest thing is how everybody calls me Nat, because Mike calls me Nat. I enjoy when people say hi and especially if they want to talk about whatever is going on. I never shy away from that! n
Natalie enjoys interacting with fans and is very active on social media.
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A SMASH HIT
With Bryce Harper in the fold, is there a World Series trip in the cards for 2019 Phillies? BY SAM CARCHIDI
Photos courtesy Philadelphia Phillies
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A
fter right fielder Bryce Harper ended his looooong, exhausting freeagent tour and signed a 13-year, $330 million deal with the Phillies early in spring training, the National League East had a new favorite. The Phils also became an instant contender to get to the World Series.
“We were a great ballclub without Bryce Harper,” said manager Gabe Kapler, mindful that Rhys Hoskins and Harper give the Phillies one of the top middle-of-the-lineup duos in the majors, “and we’re going to be a better club with him.” That said, their starting rotation still has questions. Big questions. The Phillies could play a lot of 6-5 games, but, thanks to several transactions, they have the offense to win many of those high-scoring decisions. The Phillies made great strides in the off-season as they upgraded many positions: right field, left field, shortstop, catcher, and the bullpen.
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The Phillies’ three biggest additions were Harper, catcher J.T. Realmuto, and shortstop Jean Segura, a trio of all-star selections last year. “From a fan’s perspective, getting these players will kill the ill will from the last two months of last season,” said a prominent National League scout, referring to the Phillies’ late-season collapse in 2018. “And by getting Harper, they’re so much deeper and they can maybe move some people if they think they need to get another piece somewhere. Maybe a guy like Nick Williams gets moved.” The lefthanded-hitting Harper, 26, batted .249 with 34 homers and a .393 on-base percentage last year with Washington. A former National League MVP who plays with a swagger, Harper has swatted 14 career homers at Citizens Bank Park, his highest total in any visiting ballpark.
They spent the “stupid” money
that owner John Middleton said they were prepared to do, and they should easily improve on last year’s 80-82 record. The Phils look like the team to beat in the loaded NL East, which also has Washington (even without Harper), Atlanta, and the Mets as contenders.
From left, Rhys Hoskins, Bryce Harper and Aaron Nola will try to lead the Phillies back to the postseason for the first time since 2011.
Realmuto, 28, acquired from the Marlins for catcher Jorge Alfaro, top pitching prospect Sixto Sanchez, and minor-league lefthander Will Stewart, is arguably the best catcher in the majors, and playing at hitter-friendly Citizens Bank Park should inflate his home-run total (21) from last season. A quality defensive catcher who is regarded as a team leader, Realmuto batted .277 with 30 doubles a year ago. Segura batted .304 with 10 homers, 20 steals, and a .341 on-base percentage for Seattle last season. He should also boost his power numbers at CBP and improve the team’s defense. The Phils sent J.P. Crawford and Carlos Santana to the Mariners for Segura and two pitchers. “I think as we’re trying to improve on an 80-win team and trying to put ourselves in playoff contention, we need to identify the areas where there are opportunities to make improvements,” General Manager Matt Klentak said at the news conference when the deal was made. “I think shortstop was an area for us.” In addition, the Phils bolstered their bullpen by adding David Robertson (among others) and improved their outfield defense by signing Andrew McCutchen, who will probably play left field. McCutchen, 32, isn’t the five-tool player he once was in Pittsburgh, but he gets on base (.368 on-base percentage last year), and he is one of three major leaguers with 20 or more homers in each of the last eight seasons. Oh, and he will add a professional approach that the Phillies hope spreads to enigmatic and free-swinging centerfielder Odubel Herrera. Herrera hit .343 and reached base in 45 of 46 games in the first eight weeks last season, then batted .214 with a .265 on-base percentage in the last four months. If his inconsistency continues, speedy Roman Quinn could take his spot, provided he can stay healthy during the season. Quinn suffered a strained oblique early in spring training, and he has been injured during each season since the
Phils drafted him in 2011. Williams (.256, 17 homers) also fits in the Phillies’ outfield plans, though his role was reduced with the Harper signing.
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The infield
is expected to feature Hoskins, who is being shifted from left field—where he struggled—back to first base, second baseman Cesar Hernandez, and third basemen Maikel Franco. Hoskins is coming off a season in which he hit just .246 but finished seventh in the NL in extra-base hits (72) and homers (34), and those numbers figure to improve because he won’t have the burden of playing left field hanging over his head. The scout didn’t like the way manager Gabe Kapler handled the team last season, saying he was too dependent on analytics. “Hopefully, the manager matures and lets his kids play a little bit—and stops trying to control everything they do,” the scout said. “They’re so analytically driven with everything they do. To me, their guys have so much data that they don’t play the game. It’s like paralysis by analysis. When I watched Hoskins, it seemed like his main focus was to see five pitches because Gabe told him how important that was.” A power hitter like Hoskins needs to be swinging at good pitches and not working deep counts like he’s a leadoff hitter, the scout said. “You look down at their dugout and they have a desk with charts and iPads and they’re
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We were a great ballclub without Bryce Harper and we’re going to be a better club with him.” – Phillies manager Gabe Kapler
always looking at that and they’re not watching the game in some cases,” the scout said. The Phils are hoping Hernandez (.253, 15 homers) will stay healthy. He slumped dramatically in last season’s second half, during which he played with a broken right foot. Franco (.270, 22 homers) is one of the few people in the Delaware Valley who probably did cartwheels at the news that Manny Machado had bypassed the Phillies and signed with San Diego. Franco had the lowest strikeout rate of his career (13.3 percent) in 2018 and was one of the few Phils to make offensive strides. The rotation will revolve around 25-yearold righthander Aaron Nola (17-6, 2.37 ERA), and that’s a pretty good way to start. Nola had a sub-2.00 ERA in three of the six months and finished third in the Cy Young voting. He finished second in the NL in ERA, third in WHIP (walks and hits per nine innings) at 0.97, third in quality starts (25), fourth in wins, fifth in strikeouts (224), and fifth in homers per nine innings (0.72).
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Beyond Nola, there are questions
because of the way the team’s starters struggled mightily toward the end of 2018. The starters had a 3.81 ERA after the first four months, keying the team’s surprising rise to the top of the NL East. But they limped to the finish line with a 4.77 ERA the rest of the season. The Phillies’ rotation is also expected to include past-his-prime Jake Arrieta and three on-the-rise pitchers: Nick Pivetta, Vince Velasquez, and Zach Eflin. The veteran scout said Pivetta, Velasquez and Eflin have the talent to be No. 3 starters, but need more consistency. “They have to take the next step forward to become pitchers and not just throwers with good arms,” the scout said. Of that group, Pivetta, 26, is the most intriguing. He has great stuff, but finished 7-14 with a 4.77 ERA. The 6-foot-5, 220-pound righthander finished with 188 strikeouts in 164 innings, and his 10.3 strikeouts per nine innings placed him fifth in the National League. In balls put in play, however, he allowed the highest opponents’ batting average (.324) of any starter in the majors. Velasquez (9-12, 4.85), 26, who may be better suited as a closer, is another intriguing righthander. He carried a no-hitter through at least five innings three times last year. Like Pivetta, he averaged more than a strikeout per inning: 161 whiffs in 146 2/3 innings. Arrieta (10-11, 3.96), 33, is penciled in as
the No. 2 starter behind Nola. He has lots of savvy, but he struggled toward the finish line last year, compiling a 6.82 ERA in his last seven starts and raising questions about whether he can be counted upon as a true No. 2 starter. Eflin is expected to round out the rotation, with Jerad Eickhoff in the mix if anyone falters. Eickhoff is coming off an injury-plagued 2018 season. Eflin, who turns 25 early in the season, went 11-8 with a 4.36 ERA last year and struck out 123 while walking only 37 in 128 innings. Yes, the potential for a breakout season is there. The bullpen should be anchored by David Robertson, Seranthony Dominguez, and Hector Neris. Pat Neshek, Tommy Hunter, Victor Arano, and Edubray Ramos provide depth. Jose Alvarez, who had a 6-4 record and 2.71 ERA in 76 games with the Dodgers last year, appears to be the best of the bullpen lefthanders. James Pazos (4-1, 2.88), acquired as part of the Segura trade, could also be an improvement over the 2018 lefty relievers. Robertson, 33, who has had 60-plus appearances in each of the last nine years, Dominguez and Neris all have the ability to close games. Robertson, signed as a free agent, had an 8-3 record with a 3.23 ERA and 91 strikeouts in 69 2/3 innings with the Yan-
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kees last season. The righthander will pitch high-leverage innings. The scout, who believes the Phils overused Dominguez last year, called Robertson a “professional who knows how to get hitters out. He has three pitches and he commands them.” The bullpen looks better than last year. Ditto the defense, which was horrendous in 2018, because of Realmuto, Segura, and McCutchen. That trio will also improve the offense. If the young starting pitchers can blossom, you have a team headed in the right direction, a team eager to erase the memories of its monumental 2018 collapse.
In case you’ve forgotten, the Phillies were atop the NL East with a 64-49 record on Aug. 7, 1½ games ahead of second-place Atlanta. Unfortunately, there were still 49 games left to be played. The Phils went 16-33 the rest of the way and finished at 80-82, becoming the first team to have 15 more wins than losses at that point in the season to finish under .500. The collapse will be used as a motivator to avoid such an embarrassment again. And the infusion of Harper and several other highquality additions—players who will complement stars like Nola and Hoskins—could be enough to push the Phillies to the top. n
DRAFT KINGS, ACES AND JOKERS A LOOK AT SOME HITS (AND MISSES) FROM PAST EAGLES’ DRAFTS
BY MARK ECKEL
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“With the second selection in the NFL Draft, the Philadelphia Eagles select Donovan McNabb, quarterback, Syracuse.” “Boooooo! Boooooo! We want Ricky!” THAT WAS 20 YEARS AGO and began the city’s love/hate affair with its future franchise quarterback. It also made a group of Eagles fans an annual target in the weeks that lead up to the draft. WIP’s morning show, led by host Angelo Cataldi, organized a group of 30 listeners to go to the 1999 NFL Draft, then held in New York, to boo anyone not named Ricky Williams. The radio station, most of the fans and even then-Mayor Ed Rendell, all wanted the team to select Williams, the star running back out of the University of Texas, with that No. 2 overall selection. The Eagles wanted, and needed, a quarterback and selected McNabb over Oregon’s Akili Smith, UCLA’s Cade McNown and Central
Donovan McNabb greets Eagles head coach Andy Reid after being selected by the Eagles in 1999
Florida’s Daunte Culpepper. They made the right choice. In 31 cities around the NFL, the annual draft means trying to figure out who your team will take and how much help they will add to their rosters. In Philadelphia, it means having to watch McNabb get booed all over
again year after year. You won’t be able to turn on ESPN or NFL Network the week before the draft without hearing then-commissioner Paul Tagliabue’s announcement and seeing the group of Eagles fans, who became known as “The Dirty 30,” go crazy.
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“I don’t know much about the story. I have heard about it,” says Shawn Young, the man dressed in full Eagles gear with eye black and shoulder pads and leading the boos you see in the clip year after year. “I’m kidding, of course. Actually, now it is laughable. There was a lot that led up to that. There was a lot of verbal stuff going on before that between us and some Giants fans. “A security guy called me over and wanted to talk to me. And then they moved me down about 10 rows, front and center. I was kind of set up.” Young, who has parlayed his “SuperFan” image into appearances and local stardom, still gets a kick out of the exposure he gets some 20 years later. “If it bothered me, I would have hid,” he said. “I wouldn’t do what I do now.” It did bother McNabb. He never really forgot what happened that day and even after several apologies, it’s something that always stayed with him throughout a brilliant career with the Eagles in which he broke every team passing record. “That was my greatest moment (at the time), to hear my named called, to get to walk across that stage and shake hands with Paul Tagliabue,” McNabb says to this day. “And that’s all I’ll say about that.”
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The booing did bother McNabb. He never really forgot what happened that day. So, the same city and fans who are still reviled for booing Santa Claus, are treated the same way for booing the greatest quarterback in team history. And they get to watch it over and over, year after year. “There’s a sense of pride that they’re still talking about it, still showing those clips,” Rocco Riccio, another member of “The Dirty 30” said. “That now, 20 years later, it’s still considered a highlight of the draft, and it was us. Every single time they show the scene we become more legendary. It’s kind of amazing, a whole group of fans became infamous.” Here are some other memorable Eagles draft day moments.
Perry Who?
In the days leading up to the 1982 NFL Draft, it was obvious the Eagles needed a wide receiver and would select one with the 20th overall pick of the draft. Harold Carmichael, the team’s All-Pro re-
ceiver, was going to be 33 years old and was on the back side of his great career. And there wasn’t anyone opposite him that made defenses worry. Eagles head coach Dick Vermeil fell in love with Perry Tuttle, a slender 6-0, 178-pound receiver out of Clemson who caught the winning touchdown pass in the Orange Bowl to beat Nebraska. The problem was Vermeil let too many people know how much he loved Tuttle. One of those people was the coach’s close friend and head coach of the Buffalo Bills, Chuck Knox. On draft day, Knox and the Bills with the 21st pick, moved up two spots, trading with the Denver Broncos for the 19th pick and selected Tuttle. Vermeil and his people were stunned, and the head coach felt as disappointed as he was betrayed. The team still needed a wide receiver, so they stayed in the Atlantic Coast Conference and selected Mike Quick, out of North Carolina State.
Quick, who ranks with Carmichael and Tommy McDonald as the greatest receivers in Eagles history, caught 363 passes for 6,464 yards and 61 touchdowns in his nine-year career all with the Eagles. Tuttle played just two years for the Bills and spent his third, and final, NFL season with both Atlanta and Tampa Bay. He caught 24 passes for 375 yards and three touchdowns in that abbreviated career. Sometimes things work out just fine. “Funny thing is I knew Perry pretty well from playing against him in college,” Quick said. “He was OK. But I knew I had something extra in me.” The Eagles found that out too. Even if by accident. “I had heard mostly from the New Orleans Saints,” Quick said of that draft. “They were talking to me a lot. I really thought that’s where I was going to go. Cleveland showed some interest, too. The Eagles? I met with Vermeil once, but I didn’t think they were interested.” They weren’t. They wanted Perry Tuttle.
Medical Reject
Buddy Ryan certainly created a lot of memories in his five years as Eagles head coach and his first NFL Draft back in 1986 might have set the bar. It was impossible to tell what Ryan was going to do that year. And even if was possible, no one could have imagined what was about to transpire those two days. In what was a 12-round draft back then, the Eagles drafted a player Ryan said they never would, another he said he would and another the Dallas Cowboys had drafted a year earlier. They made seven trades, including one for a quarterback, drafted a punter in the fifth round who never played a game for them and two of the greatest players in team history in the eighth and ninth rounds. On the night prior to the first day of that draft, Ryan called Ohio State running back Keith Byars “a medical reject.” He then selected him with the 10th overall pick. That same night on the same radio show, Ryan went out his way to praise Texas A&M running back Anthony Toney, calling him “the best fullback in the country.” He then took him in the second round. Ryan traded his third-round pick to the San Francisco 49ers for quarterback Matt Cavanaugh. With veteran Ron Jaworski and secondyear man Randall Cunningham already on the roster, something had to give. And it did. Jaworski played nine games for Ryan in 1985 and was released before the following season. In the fourth round, Ryan took Texas A&M
tackle Matt Darwin, who was selected by the Cowboys in the fifth round of the 1985 draft but never signed with his hometown team. Darwin became a quality left tackle and was a key for the three straight playoff teams of 1988-90 and, then, as quickly as his career began, it ended the same way when he retired before the 1991 season. Ryan wasted his fifth-round pick on Florida punter Ray Criswell, but made up for it when he selected linebacker Seth Joyner, out of Texas-El Paso in the eighth round and defensive end Clyde Simmons, out of Western Carolina, in the ninth round. That was some draft and some two days.
What might have been
Say what you want about the Ray Rhodes Era with the Eagles, but Rhodes knew talent and hit on way more draft picks than he missed. In 1996, Rhodes’ second draft with the Eagles, he had a chance for what might have been the greatest draft in Eagles history, maybe one of the greatest drafts in NFL history. Rhodes did wonders in the second round of that draft when with the last of his two second round picks, he selected safety Brian Dawkins, of Clemson. Dawkins, of course, became the greatest safety in Eagles history, one of their greatest defensive players of all time, and the first player from Clemson inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. “I was a compensatory second round pick,” Dawkins says. “So really, I was a third round pick.” It was the first round of that draft where Rhodes made one of his rare draft mistakes and let need take over in lieu of the selecting the best player on the board. The Eagles, as it seemed was always the case from the mid-80s through the late-90s, needed help on the offensive line. Rhodes and his staff liked what they saw in Jermaine Mayberry, a lineman from Texas A&M-Kingsville and took him with the 25th pick of the draft. One selection later, at No. 26, the Baltimore Ravens selected a linebacker out of Miami named Ray Lewis. Maybe you’ve heard of him. The Eagles coaches and scouts had conversations about Lewis, but the need for help on the line drowned those out. Mayberry, who became a Pro Bowl guard, was the pick. But imagine a draft that would have included Lewis and Dawkins.
somewhere around the third round. Wisconsin’s Russell Wilson was the consensus pick among the coaches and the staff, but it was 50-50 at best he would still be available when the Eagles were on the clock at pick No. 88 in the third round. As it turned out Seattle took Wilson at pick No. 75. Sure, they could have taken Wilson with one of their two second round picks, or traded up in the third round to get him. But they didn’t. Plan B, or plan C, was a choice of Michigan State’s Kirk Cousins or Arizona’s Nick Foles. Ironically, the two were teammates with the Spartans before Foles transferred west. According to a person who was in the draft room that year, the scouts and general manager Howie Roseman had decided on Cousins. One person actually left the room for a brief time before the pick, came back in, learned the team had taken Foles and was shocked. What happened was Reid, in his last hurrah with the Eagles, insisted on Foles. Offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg also championed the cause vociferously. And the pick was Foles. Cousins would go one round later to the Washington Redskins. The rest, as they say, is history. Foles became a Super Bowl MVP and Cousins became very rich with an $81 million guaranteed contract from the Minnesota Vikings. n
Cousins or Foles?
In the 2012 draft, which turned out to be Andy Reid’s final one with the Eagles, the team was looking to select a quarterback 53
Sports Betting
ON THE UP AND UP Mad Money on March Madness BY T. JORDAN WOMPIERSKI 54
March Madness has never been more aptly named. This year, in addition to the plethora of traditional office pools and bracket bets among friends, countless area residents will be laying it all on the line and putting big money on the annual NCAA basketball tournament—only now, they’ll be gambling through official channels. Last June, New Jersey became just the third state in the country behind Nevada and Delaware to legalize sports betting, while Pennsylvania soon followed with legislation of its own. “I’m glad to see it,” said Brian Startare, a local sports media personality who has admittedly gambled his fair share of money on sports over the years. “It gives sports fans a new outlet.” And while it’s no secret that sports fans have always opened up their wallets to wager on athletics, now, they can do so on the up-and-up. “I like the fact that you don’t have to go through a bookie anymore to make a bet,” Startare said. “You can play the lottery, but you can’t bet on sports? I’ve always been of the opinion that taxpaying Americans can wager anything they want. There shouldn’t be regulation on that.” For as excited as local sports fans are to add an extra dimension of rooting interest when they kick back to watch a game, the new legislation is a major boon for local casinos as well. They’ve already been cashing in on the new laws for a few months now, and are anticipating a huge rush of business to coincide with the NCAA tournament this March.
“I think the new legislation will continue having a positive impact,” said Steve Callender, the senior vice president of eastern regional operations for Eldorado Resorts, which owns the Tropicana Casino & Resort in Atlantic City. “It brings in new customers, especially the millennials who grew up playing fantasy sports and might not want to play slot machines or table games, but they’ll bet games. And there’s an existing market that will give people something else to do. We’ve been waiting a long time for this.” “More people are going to be drawn to sports books, and that tournament is just going to be great,” added Startare. “That Thurs-
A slippery slope NCAA regulations prohibit student-athletes from wagering any money on any athletic competition, collegiate or otherwise. But now that sports betting is legal, there may be greater opportunities for those students to slip up. “When you’re talking about athletic competition, and all of the sudden the outcomes are being wagered upon, it’s a very slippery slope now,” Startare said. “There’s an opening for impropriety.” Considering the fact that college athletes are unpaid, the opportunities to make some immoral money may be tempting. “Even though these athletes are getting a free ride, they don’t care about that, because they don’t really know the price of it,” Startare said. “All they know is they don’t have beer money, they don’t have car money, they don’t have money to spend. And the NCAA doesn’t allow them the opportunity to make money. People are going to start looking for shortcuts. All of the sudden, now, what’s an easy way to make money? Gamble.” With that being said, Startare doesn’t feel the NCAA is at any greater risk for a scandal than it was before the new legislation. “I think that anybody who is worried about the effect of point shaving, or kids being involved, I don’t think it will have any kind of negative effect like that,” he said. “That was already there. It’s been there from the beginning because people were betting on sports anyway. Now, it’s just intensified.” 55
“ People don’t have to go to Vegas now. It’s a great thing for our state because the revenues are just going to be through the roof.” day and Friday, the first two tournament days, are the best days of the year for a sports person, in my opinion. Now, it will only increase in popularity.” To prepare for the upcoming madness, Tropicana opened a brand new sports book facility on March 8. The 5,000-square-foot William Hill Sports Book features 180 seats, eight total betting windows, and a large video display allowing guests to watch sixteen games at once. “We are always looking to bring our guests more exciting experiences, and this new venue will bring a new level of fun and entertainment,” Callender said. “Sports betting has driven new business to the property, and the casino is busy all day long. Considering the popularity of the NCAA tournament, we expect to see the number of visitors grow exponentially.” Now, local sports fans who would have needed to travel out west to enjoy legal sports
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Too many hands in the pot? While Startare is in favor of the legislation to legalize sports gambling, he anticipates the big money legal sports betting will bring in could cause conflicts in the future. “You want to find the root of any problem?” Startare asked. “Follow the money. Everyone is gonna try to find some way to make money off of it.” The NCAA has vowed not to monetize the new legislation, citing concerns about the integrity of the game, but in practically the same Startare breath, they announced a ten-year agreement with data and technology firm Genius Sports last May. Genius Sports offers cutting-edge software that captures statistics in real time—and one of their subsidiaries “offers services to betting operators in the United States and internationally, including a sportsbook management platform,” according to ESPN. “I don’t believe the NCAA at all,” Startare said. “They’ll find a way to monetize it, just like everybody else will. And there’s not a problem with that, as long as they don’t lose their integrity.” With so much money on the line, there’s bound to be more than a few instances of hypocrisy. “They’re gonna keep Pete Rose out of the Hall of Fame, and now all of the sudden the commissioner of baseball is backing gambling?” Startare said incredulously. “I think this could open up a bevy of problems down the road.” gambling—or who would have turned to unscrupulous channels to place bets—can do so legally, right here at home. “I know a couple that goes out to Vegas ev-
ery year for the tournament, but people don’t have to go to Vegas now,” Startare said. “It’s a great thing for our state because the revenues are just going to be through the roof.” n
Photo BAYADA Home Health Care Inc.
PROFILE
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MARK BAIADA & THE BAYADA WAY Compassion. Excellence. Reliability.
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BY JAN L. APPLE
WHEN MARK BAIADA WENT TO SLEEP on December 30, 2018, he was owner, president and CEO of BAYADA Home Health Care Inc. When he awoke the next morning, the company that he established in 1975 with $16,000 and grew to reach people in 23 states and six countries, was no longer his business. “What did I just do?” the 71-year-old Moorestown, NJ resident recalled thinking. Yet it wasn’t a bad dream; but rather, a calculated fulfillment of a vision to create a legacy that would continue to help those in need long after his lifetime. When the clock struck 12:01 a.m. on December 31st, the company had literally transferred as a gift from its founder to a new non-profit, 501©3 entity bearing the same name.
Baiada now serves as chairman of a sevenmember board. “I’m a one-dollar-a-year volunteer chairman,” explained Baiada of his new role. But the change hasn’t meant doing less, merely tackling a different set of important tasks. He still arrives in his Moorestown office at 8:30 a.m. and stays until 5 p.m. Much of his time in recent weeks has been spent developing the board to establish a stable, professional governance that will endure for future generations. He also oversees BAYADA’s International Division, a service area he is trying to expand upon. “I always want to do more to help people,” said Baiada. In fact, making a difference in people’s lives has been a passion and driving force since childhood. As a young boy, Mark Baiada moved around the country a lot as his dad was a naval officer. The family ultimately settled in in Delanco, New Jersey when he was in 4thgrade. “I always knew I wanted to do something big,” reflected Baiada, who isn’t at all surprised that the company grew to become so successful. Thinking big has always been his mode of operation. Long ago, he considered becoming a priest as a way to help people. He quickly discovered that wasn’t his calling. Not only was he interested in girls, but he also describes himself as a family man—through and through. Today, he
cherishes the time he spends with his family: wife, Ann, five children, and 11 grandchildren. Having a house at the Jersey shore, in Avalon, has been a win-win for quality family time. Baiada describes himself as spiritual rather than religious. “I want to focus on helping people and I want to show love in all my work, which is pretty much the message of most religions,” he said. Prior to launching the company at age 27— with its first office on Ferry Avenue in Camden—Baiada conducted extensive research and saved money for five years. He knew he wanted to invest in a business that would help people and recognized the growing need for home health care. He felt that people deserved to have a safe home life—with comfort, independence and dignity. The company began with that precise mission, one that Baiada has never lost sight of over the decades. He chose the name BAYADA rather than Baiada because the spelling and pronunciation were easier. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Rutgers (The State University of New Jersey)-New Brunswick and an MBA from Rutgers-Newark. For this Jersey man, BAYADA Home Health Care Inc. was always about building a team of committed and like-minded employees while carving a niche to provide comprehensive services 24/7 (nursing; rehabilitation, such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology; home health aide, habilitation, companion care, hospice…) to a broad-based population, pediatrics through elderly. “We grew slowly, but steadily,” said Baiada. “About 10 to 15 percent a year. We’re the tortoise, not the hare.” “I didn’t pick areas, I picked people who wanted to align with me and serve others,” he continued. “So, Tom moved to North Carolina, Linda moved to North Jersey.” From there, offices were established. Today, BAYADA has
28,000 employees and 360 service offices. In 2018, the company served 151,000 clients. So why, one might ask, would Baiada want to let go of such a successful business and turn it into a non-profit? “I did it to give BAYADA the best chance of being here in 100 years and staying true to the BAYADA Way and our mission and values.” If it was privately or publicly owned, he explains that the owners might only be interested in money and the future would be unpredictable. His long-range plan is for BAYADA to continue to be a resource in the community. “I hope they never do; but when people need help, I hope we’re there for them,” he said. The BAYADA Way is about compassion, excellence and reliability. These are the values the company was founded on and ones that employees continue to embody, no matter what their individual roles. And every Thursday morning from 8:30 to 8:45 a.m., Baiada says these values are reinforced at all office locations during motivational staff meetings, incorporating mental exercises and discussions about key actions.
BAYADA’s Enduring Vision Mark Baiada not only founded BAYADA Home Health Care Inc. and nurtured the company for over four decades, he also created a mission and an aspirational vision, which includes becoming the world’s most compassionate and trusted team of home health care professionals. “We want to do excellent work for the families we serve,” said Baiada. “We want to serve millions of people worldwide and leave a lasting legacy.” 59
Photo BAYADA Home Health Care Inc.
Mark Baiada’s son, David Baiada, left, is now president and CEO of BAYADA, a position he assumed when the business transitioned to its current status.
Baiada is quick to point out that the BAYADA Way values are shared by his entire family. So it may come as no surprise that BAYADA has always been and continues to be a family endeavor. In fact, the family shared in the decision-making process that ultimately led to the current non-profit status. “We share the same
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spirit,” said Baiada of his family. His children were all raised with the motto: “Think big, work hard and show love.” Some, he says, even have these words on the walls inside their homes. A son, David Baiada, 42, is now president and CEO of BAYADA, a position he assumed when the business transitioned to its cur-
rent status and one that gives him a sense of “honor, responsibility and stewardship.” Ann Baiada, a nurse, founded the division BAYADAbility Rehab Solutions, for clients with catastrophic spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries; daughter Kelli Marans, an attorney, is BAYADA’s chief compliance officer; daughter Janice Lovequist is manager of culture and values. Another daughter, Jaclyn Kirchhoff, a nurse, worked for the company in the past, but is now home raising her children and daughter Christin Gregory, who has a doctorate in Social Work specializing in hospice care, is also home with young children. BAIADA SHARED HIS THOUGHTS on another unprecedented action that made headlines in late November—giving away $20 million of company assets to employees and former employees. The monetary figure, Baiada explains, was actually a bit higher when adding in the taxes he had to pay to make the transition. “I was about to give the company away and I really wanted to say thank you to all the people who helped to build this up,”
he said. “It was divided up based upon earnings.” So even though a home health aide makes a lower hourly rate than a therapist, if they had been with BAYADA for a long period of time, their gift would reflect that tenure. Baiada’s office credenza is teeming with thank you cards. He also received countless e-mails. The gratitude stretched beyond an appreciation of the monetary gift. “People felt honored and valued for the work that they do,” he said. “It was heartwarming.” Admittedly, Baiada doesn’t like to draw attention to his deeds. He much prefers to keep a low profile and continue on his mission to fill unmet needs. In fact, going that extra mile to ensure people are satisfied with services is always on his mind. If there’s a glitch or something that hadn’t gone exactly as planned, Baiada tries to make things right as quickly as possible. He is also one to roll up his sleeves and fix things around the office, whether that be changing a light bulb, carrying boxes up and down the steps or fixing a toilet flapper. “I don’t want to pay a plumber when I can do it myself,” said Baiada. At the end of the day, Baiada is happy if he’s helped people, but his thoughts are continually occupied with what has yet to be accomplished. “I’m worried about the ones who are not being helped,” he said. n
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Photo Jansen Hudson
LUX it or leave it BY ASHLEY DUNEK
The #LuxSquad
W Kelly Straka, Founder & CEO of Lux-Living
What do baseball players Mike Trout and Todd Frazier, TV personality Rob Dyrdek and the city of Philadelphia have in common? They’ve all been LUX-ED. Kelly Straka and her staging and design company, Lux-Living, whose home-base is right here in Philadelphia, have filled a niche in the real estate market with their originality and unique design skills. Kelly and her team, known as the #LuxSquad, are leaving their mark on every home they touch. If you’ve ever envisioned a “Lady Lounge” decked in neon and pink marble or an Alice in Wonderland themed dining room, we’ve found the group to do it. It’s no wonder why this local powerhouse has found a sweet spot with an A-list crowd. A single peek at one of their projects will have you wondering who is behind this fearless world of design that has celebs, real estate developers and regular homeowners like you and me, signing up left and right. Meet Kelly Straka. A Rutgers University graduate with a tireless work ethic and an unstoppable desire to breathe new life into interior design. She walks to the beat of her own drum, and her projects follow suit. 62
Before and after
#HomeSweetHaddonfield
#HomeSweetHaddonfield Phillies family, Haddonfield, NJ
Photos plushimage.com
Mural by local Philly artist @glossblack
Q: HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN THIS INDUSTRY?
#FrazierFlip - Toms River NJ
A: My grandparents and parents flipped houses when we were growing up and I remember going to the job sites and watching the projects, filling nail holes, helping in whatever way we could. Then after college I got my real estate license. The economy was slow and it was hard to sell houses, so I started staging houses with my own stuff and quickly realized the importance of quality staging. This piqued my interest in home design and renovations. I launched Lux-Living in 2010. Q: WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON TV SHOWS THAT GLORIFY FLIPPING HOUSES? A: I used to watch them all the time and I despise most of them now. What really bothers me are the numbers; they don’t take into consideration the real costs that go into flipping a house. They give people a false sense of hope that anyone can flip a property and there are so many ways people can lose a lot of money, which they don’t show you on TV. It’s a lot riskier than they portray it to be.
#FrazierFlip
Q: HOW DID YOU GET CONNECTED WITH THESE HIGHPROFILE CLIENTS? WHY HAS MLB BEEN A SWEET SPOT FOR YOU? A: One of my gymnastics teammates at Rutgers ended up marrying Todd Frazier, who played baseball at Rutgers, and then got picked up by the [New York] Mets. I’ve now done three houses for them alone. We utilize social media to show off these projects and it takes wind from there. Another thing about athletes is that they move often, and when Todd & Jackie Frazier they find a new home, they want it to feel like home—so they call us. We also have a reputation for doing these projects quickly. We just did a project that would typically take nine months to a year and completed it in two and a half months. Q: WHAT’S THE MOST OUTRAGEOUS REQUEST A CLIENT HAS ASKED FOR? A: I get some strange requests but recently we had someone ask for an Alice & Wonderland-themed dining room. Never having seen the movie I had to do some intense research and create a theme that nailed the client’s vision. They mentioned that they were planning to have a white rabbit jump out of a hat for their housewarming. These are the types of projects I love because I get to think totally outside of the box and I’ll never get to do something like that again.
#DallasInWonderland - Cincinnati Reds family, Dallas TX 63
#WhiteHousePimpin’ - Davis home
Q: HOW DIFFICULT IS IT TO KEEP UP WITH THE TRENDS AND EACH CLIENTS “VISION”? A: I don’t really pay attention to trends and usually clients don’t know what their vision is. A lot of my clients get a ‘case of the pretties,’ which doesn’t usually reflect their personal style. Instead, I get to know my clients, who almost always become my friends. I ask questions like “What kind of music do you listen to?” and “What is your personal style like?” That really gives me the most insight on the vibe they would want for their home. I think what makes me stand out is that I don’t have a set style. Whatever everyone else is doing we’re trying to do something different. My goal is to shock them—and we do! Q: WHAT’S BEEN YOUR FAVORITE PROJECT? A: White house pimpin’. Yes, that’s the name of the project, and yes, we create clever hashtags for all of our projects. Wade Davis of the Colorado Rockies and wife Katelyn gave us full range to pimp their house. We eliminated an entire room to create a grand entrance, created a Lady Lounge complete with pink neon Jay-Z lyrics and a master bathroom fit for a king.
You don’t need to be a Major League ballplayer or recently mentioned on TMZ to contact the #LuxSquad about their unique services. They work with clients of all kinds, on projects of all sizes and with all budgets. It can be as easy as scheduling a consultation. But don’t forget to bring your favorite Spotify playlist and rock an outfit that accurately reflects your personality. That’s all Kelly and the #LuxSquad need to turn your house into your dream home. n Check them out at www.lux-living.com and on Instagram @luxlivinghomes.
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LegacyClub A social club
where business happens
We are proud to introduce you to our private business network n Do you want to expand your network in
Philadelphia and South Jersey?
n Do you want to create powerful connections
with other business professionals in the area?
n Do you want to attend exclusive networking
events once a month at local venues? LEGACY CLUB SPOTLIGHT “Being a part of the Legacy Club has placed me in a position to not only have a greater impact in my field of business, but in fellow members businesses as well since we collectively work together to bring value to our clients. It’s truly refreshing to network with other professionals in a way that feels more like a mastermind session with friends, opposed to individuals just promoting their own businesses and passing out contact information. I have connected with so many like-minded people in which we have formed lasting relationships inside and outside of business. I’m always excited to attend events and truly blessed to be a part of this exceptional organization.” – Kenyon Hunter of Evolution Ave Group “ The Legacy Club is a unique group of like minded professionals that raises the bar of the traditional networking experience to a far more comprehensive and effective forum for meaningful introductions. If you’re questioning, will this group expose me to the right people? I can assure you – it will.” – Tony Lepre, Managing Partner of Lepre Energy Group
To learn more about the Legacy Club contact Ken at: ken@jerseymanmagazine.com or call 856.912.4007
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THE CIGAR GUY _________________________________________________________________________________________ BY SAM KRAFT
Sponsored by The
Smoking Dog
Highclere Castle
T
HE HIGHCLERE CASTLE seeks to capture the more affluent traditions of cigar smoking. This cigar was originally blended for the 8th Earl of Carnarvon and is named after the Highclere Castle in Hampshire, England. The castle, widely known for its role in the TV show Downton Abbey, was previously occupied by the 5th Earl right up through to the present day 8th earl. Cigar smoking was a traditional luxury of those who lived in the Highclere Castle, and the tradition continues with this collaboration between the Highclere Castle Cigar Company and Foundation Cigar Company. Foundation Cigar Company’s website tells the story of how the castle’s inhabitants would retire to the library after dinner for whiskey and a smoke. It recounts that “Savoring a Highclere Castle Cigar means taking time for you, your friends, and family; it means slowing down to appreciate nature’s bounty and the
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Connecticut, Robusto
fruits of labor.” It is clear that this cigar has a specific brand it wants to deliver. The Highclere Castle is meant to inspire its smokers with a sense of wealth and relaxation that is seldom afforded in today’s hectic world. Just as advertised, the Highclere Castle cigar is rolled with premium tobaccos. Its wrapper is made of Connecticut shadegrown tobacco and its binder is made from Mata Fina dark Brazilian tobacco. The cigar is also filled with the sweet but flavorful tobaccos of Ometepe and Jalapa, Nicaragua. On paper, this cigar should be amazing. Once lit, it doesn’t disappoint. The cigar starts off as mild and bitter-sweet with slight black pepper spice. It is savory and salty like fresh corn chips. It becomes less bitter and more savory with every puff. Slight lime rind can also be detected. Towards the second third, the cigar’s creamy and savory notes begin to develop. The black pepper spice also increases, as hints of chili pepper become
apparent. The flavors are like a creamy and savory white bean chili. The final third loses its citrus while adding trace amounts of leather and cinnamon in its profile. The Highclere Castle cigar is exactly as it should be, flavorful and luxurious. It remains medium bodied throughout its burn and therefore should be enjoyable to both new and experienced smokers. By partnering with Foundation Cigars, Highclere Cigar Co’s champion stogie can be found in many stores that carry any of its affiliate’s brand. The Highclere Castle grants an affluent experience for those without the castle. n
MAN & WOMAN OF THE YEAR HONOREES JerseyMan and PhillyMan Magazines are proud to recognize those in our area who demonstrate the rare combination of business excellence and dedication to community service. These Man & Woman of the Year candidates will be honored at our 5th annual Unmasking the Legacy event, held this November, where a portion of ticket proceeds will go to the winner’s designated charities.
SAVE THE DATE! November 7, 2019 Jen Groover
Joe Maressa
Jen Groover has been tagged by Success Magazine as a “One-Woman Brand,” a “Creativity and Innovation Guru” by Entrepreneur Magazine, a “Mindful Mogul” by Philly Happening and ranked #8 by SAP in the Top 51 Influencers of Human Potential. She was nominated as a UN delegate to the first ever Global Accelerator for the Global Entrepreneurs Council. She also made history at the NYSE, as a member of the first all-female group to ring the opening bell, made Forbes’ list of “50 Founders You Need to Follow on Twitter” and was nominated “TV Personality of The Year Award” in 2013 by Savor the Success.
Joe Maressa attended the prestigious Peddie School in Hightstown, NJ. It was there where he was exposed to a culture of hard work and the value of accomplishment. These core values fermented during college and law school.
Jen is a highly sought-after International speaker and Trainer for over 20 years and has shared stages with the likes of Tony Robbins, Gary Vaynerchuk, Dr. Oz & many more. Additionally, Jen is a transformational coach for anyone who wants to up-level where they are in life, in any and every aspect: health, career path, finances, relationships, or personal growth. Jen has been a top business and lifestyle contributor and content creator for several major television networks, including being featured on QVC. Additionally, Jen has regularly contributed editorial pieces to several prominent business magazines and online resources. Her products, brand and work have been featured in hundreds of media outlets including O, The Oprah Magazine, People and US Weekly. Her success skyrocketed with the creation of the Butler Bag, the world’s first compartmentalized handbag, that became a multi-million-dollar brand. Most recently, Jen launched Jumpstart Connect, a first of its kind pop-up shop where all the business services small business owners need, are curated under one roof. Launching in 2019, Jen will be releasing her next book, The MORE Method: The Simple Formula for Getting More of Everything You Desire in in Life. Jen is representing Back On My Feet for the JerseyMan/PhillyMan 5th annual Unmasking the Legacy celebration event.
His father, the late Senator Joseph A. Maressa, instilled into his children the importance and necessity of volunteering one’s time and talents as a means of giving back to one’s community. This edict became the cornerstone of Joe’s private and professional life. For the last 20 years, Joe has proudly served on the Camden Diocese’s real estate committee. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of the South Jersey Port Corporation and serves on their professional appointments committee. In addition, Joe serves on the Kennedy Hospital Board of Trustees and since their merger with Jefferson Health, migrated to the Board of Trustees of Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and the Jefferson Health System where he is a member of the Governance and Strategic Partnerships-Innovation Committees. Joe has received various awards and honors over the years. Most recently he was selected as Trustee of the Year by the Non-Profit Development Center of Southern New Jersey as well as being inducted into the Builders League of South Jersey’s Associates Hall of Fame.
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Upon his father’s death in 2012, Joe and his family wanted to honor their father’s legacy by starting the Senator Joseph A. Maressa Annual Golf Tournament. Since its inaugural event in 2013, the tournament has raised over $500,000.00, providing financial support to scholarships in his late father’s name at the Rowan School of Osteopathic Medicine and Rutgers Law School, as well as many other local charities supported by the Maressa family. A lifelong resident of Camden County, Joe resides in the town of Waterford Works with his wife Linda of 30 years. Together they have two children Josephine and Joseph III. Joe is representing the Community Foundation of New Jersey for the Jersey Man/Philly Man 5th annual Unmasking the Legacy celebration event.
CONTACT
ken@jerseymanmagazine.com 75
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TECH TIME
Feel free to keep the conversation going on Twitter @PCS_AnthonyM or reach out to me at Anthony@helpmepcs.com
_______________________________________________________________________________ BY ANTHONY MONGELUZO
Big Business & Your Personal Privacy
T
his month’s column is about awareness, your personal data and vigilance. These are powerful words that relate to the technical world in which we live, and more precisely, provide a topic that we must think about as we become more immersed in this ever-expanding digital frontier. Here are two examples of privacy issues that are worthy of note.
A recent investigation by TechCrunch reveals that Facebook has been paying teens $20 per month for their private information. (Apparently, they gave an additional $20 if the teen referred a friend.) When you download the app, you’re essentially setting up a virtual private network, which provides Facebook with almost everything on your phone, including emails, photos, videos, instant messaging chats and patterns and location data. In short, almost all of your personal digital data. While the app was open to people ages 13 to 35, the real target audience was 13- to 17-year-olds. Some speculate that Facebook was seeking younger audiences, who are less likely to use the main Facebook app. Facebook recognizes the economic clout of this important consumer market segment and that they might be creating long-term (even lifetime) patrons. You’re asking: What does Facebook do with this information? No one really knows, though Facebook has been taking a bashing in recent years because of their mishandling of privacy issues. But security expert Will Strafach put it bluntly in a recent interview. “This [data] hands Facebook continuous access of the most sensitive data about you,” Strafach said. “And most users are going to be unable to reasonably consent to this regardless of any agreement they sign, because there is no way to articulate just how much power is handed to Facebook when you do this.” Now, let’s turn to another favorite behemoth tech company, Amazon. In essence, everyone knows that Amazon gains and retains your personal information whenever you make a purchase. Amazon tracks not just what you buy but has insight about your tastes and preferences in many areas. To make you feel even more unsettled, remember how everyone thought that drone delivery was great? In some respect, it is. But as 76
the drone flops down in your yard, it’s probably taking pictures of your home and those of your neighbors (I hope you keep the grass trim). A good friend just bought an Amazon Fire 10. I pointed out to him that there are some concerns about the new Amazon Silk browser on this tablet. “You’re trusting Amazon with an incredible amount of your personal information,” said Dan Auerbach, a staff technologist with the Electronic Frontier Foundation. This allows access to my friend’s search history, and it might be an “attractive target for law enforcement.” For fun, try to cancel your Amazon account. Good luck finding it online. Also, when or if you cancel, remember Amazon can keep your purchasing records because they are business transactions.
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HAT DOES ALL THIS MEAN? The first thought you should consider is that these giant tech companies are not our friends. It’s business, and they
“This [data] hands Facebook continuous access of the most sensitive data about you.”
trade in information as much as they do in selling products and services, either directly or as a middleman. Second, I often refer to a digital footprint, but given the expansion of cameras, it’s not just what you think is private digital data, it’s also your physical presence. Where you are, what you’re doing, the nature of your movements. Don’t forget that microphones are out there, too. And with artificial intelligence and the right type of algorithm, they can anticipate your next move (computer chess programs can beat the best human players we have to offer). A bit scary, and that’s coming from someone who’s been heavily in the tech business for more than 17 years. Some of you might feel that I’m overreacting. Maybe. But a recent Associated Press story noted that “Newer seat-back entertainment systems on some airplanes operated by American Airlines, United Airlines and Singapore Airlines have cameras, and it’s likely they are also on planes used by other carriers.” All three said they never flipped the on switch and don’t intend to use them. Of course. I don’t want to leave you on a glum note. There are some actions you can take to reduce someone using, borrowing, sharing and stealing your private information. And that’s my next column. n
THE WINE MAN _______________________________________________________________________________ BY ROBERT KENNEDY
Napa’s Winemaking History
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HE NAPA VALLEY has ideal growing conditions for wine grapes. The perfect microclimate, soil and terroir rank right up there with the world’s best. The large swings in variable temperatures from early morning through late evening hours bring out the best in the fruit that’s grown in what is frequently referred to as the American Viticultural Area or “AVA.” Only two percent of the world experiences a dry Mediterranean climate, and Napa has it. While looming large on the world stage these days, Napa Valley is actually small in size, stretching a meager thirty miles long and five miles wide. Over 500 wineries now dot the appellations of Napa, producing arguably the finest wines in the world, but certainly it wasn’t always that way. Perhaps a “Reader’s Digest” version of the development of Napa Valley, and who helped it achieve such greatness, will shed a finer appreciation of this small valley now known around the globe. ILD GRAPES GREW and thrived as early as the mid to late 17th century in the Napa Valley, but this barren fruit certainly wasn’t cultivated by any human hand. Perhaps the Native Americans, who occupied this area before American farmers arrived in the 1830s, may have sustained their lifestyle by living off this fruit of the land. It wasn’t until the mid to late 18th century, with the migrating Spanish missionaries founded by Father Junipero Serra, did planting vines begin, and making wines for religious purposes used at the missions’ nine California locations was established. There were no real grape varietals grown then, only field blends for the mission’s own internal use. In those early, formative years, Europeans such as Germany’s Jacob Schram, Jacob Beringer, and Charles Krug made their way to this beautiful, lush, yet stark and undeveloped area. Krug purchased 540 acres having arrived in the 1860s. Another early pioneer was George Yount, an American, who settled in the Napa area in 1839, having built a farm home and mill, and who was one of the first com-
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mercial farmers to officially cultivate vines. The arrival of Hamilton Crabb, of To-Kalon fame, and John Patchatt also assisted with the introduction of Vitis vinifera, the common grape vine, to the area. In a very short time, Napa’s landscape grew in size to include 140 wineries, as more settlers began flooding the Napa Valley from all over the U.S. and Europe. This very small stretch of land was becoming very fertile, very fast. Just when Napa was taking off from this explosion of commercializing wines, the fledgling Napa wine industry was halted by the intrusion of phylloxera, a deadly destructive root louse which attacks the vine roots, effectively wiping out 80 percent of the valley’s crop. Adding insult to injury, this disease came on the heels of the enactment of Prohibition. Vineyards and wineries ceased to exist with the exception of a few continuing to produce sacramental wines. It wasn’t until the end of both the Great Depression and Prohibition, did Napa and its remaining skeleton of wineries begin to rebound. This period in the history of Napa ushered in the likes of George de Latour, who with a new rootstock, cured the phylloxera disease, convincing growers all over California to replant. John Daniel, Jr. brought Inglenook back to life, while
de Latour resurrected Beaulieu Vineyards, and the Mondavi family purchased Charles Krug Winery. From the early 1930s through 1960s these men and others rebuilt Napa into one of the powerhouses we know today. But what really pushed the Napa Valley over the top as one of the most respected and regarded wine regions of the world was the 1976 Judgment of Paris. It was at this blind tasting event that Chateau Montelena’s Chardonnay and Stags Leap Wine Cellars’ Cabernet Sauvignon placed first against its French counterparts.
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ODAY, even as California wildfires threaten to stave off great harvests, this small but powerful landscape, simply known as Napa Valley, continues to create some of the best “nectar of the gods” we hold in the highest regard. From those humble beginnings well before Native Americans roamed the valley, Napa’s virgin soil with that perfect terroir condition sat vacant from the beginning of time and begged to be intertwined with the viticulture of grape growing. Even with its misfortunes, it is Mother Nature along with the raw talent of men like Schram, Beringer and Krug that will always guarantee a first-place finish in annals of wine history. n