This past week started very poorly for the Phillies but ended on a high note.

Coming off a tough series with the Florida Marlins in which the Fightin Phils lost the final two games, including a gem thrown by ace Cole Hamels, the Phillies rolled into Flushing hoping to put some distance between them and the Mets. Mission accomplished, sort of. After one of the most amazing comebacks in recent history, the Phillies failed to capitalize on the momentum built from winning the series opener and looked flat the following two games. The Phils won one inning, while the Mets won 26 innings. The Phils simply lucked out and won the right inning, avoiding a sweep.

On top of their struggles on the field, the Phils have had to deal with some off the field issues as well. Reigning MVP Jimmy Rollins was late to Saturday’s game and was summarily benched by manager Charlie Manuel for breaking team rules.

After the debacle in New York, the Phillies came home to face the Atlanta Braves a game out of first place behind the Mets. Unfortunately, they followed up their uninspired play in New York with one of the worst games I have ever witnessed. The Phillies failed to score a run until the ninth inning, getting just three hits off young right-hander Jair Jurrjens, who had lost two of his previous three games coming into the series. Phillies’ closer Brad Lidge had perhaps his worst outing of his career, giving up five runs without getting an out, including a grand slam to Brian McCann.

The Phillies battled back from a week and a half of lousy play to win the final two games against the Braves to win their first series since before the All Star Break. Despite a rocky outing by Hamels on Saturday, the Phillies edged out the Braves 10-9 on Greg Dobbs‘ pinch hit three-run home run, his league leading 20 pinch hit of the season. It was his fifth pinch hit home run of his career, and his second of the season. Dobbs tied the Phillies franchise record for pinch hits with Doc Miller, who had 20 of his own in 1913. Dobbs is hitting .362 (34-for-94) as a pinch hitter since joining the Phillies, including a lusty .435 (20-for-46) in that role this season.

The Phillies did something they have been seemingly unable to do in months on Sunday: they capitalized on the momentum built in the previous game and won another slugfest, holding off a late inning run by the Braves to win 12-10. Despite a shaky outing by Joe Blanton and a rain delay that sent both starting pitchers to the clubhouse for good, the Phillies used the long ball to bring themselves back to within a game of first place.

As of Monday night the Phillies were tied with the Marlins for second place in the National League East, just a half game behind New York, who lost to Florida because of another bullpen meltdown. The Phils look to get back into first place as they set to face off with the Nationals in Washington Tuesday.

As they fight their way back to first place, the Phils could have some help on the way as trade deadline fast approaches on Thursday at 4 PM EST. There has been intense speculation that Matt Holliday and Brian Fuentes could be headed to Philadelphia, as well as reports that Boston Red Sox‘ outfielder Manny Ramirez’s top trade destination is Philly. Keep posted as we continue to bring you all the latest trade news and rumors.

In other Phillies’ news, embattled former starter Adam Eaton has accepted an assignment to AAA Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs. Pitcher J.A. Happ was recalled to the big league club, perhaps to be showcased before Thursday’s trade deadline.

In exciting news, the Philadelphia Soul won their first ArenaBowl Championship, winning 59-56 over the San Jose SaberCats on Sunday. The Soul’s victory begs the question, and the impending debate, does this end the 20 year championship drought in Philly?

In Eagles‘ news, star running back Brian Westbrook reports to camp despite his reported discontent with his current contract. Cornerback Asante Samuel has been diagnosed with a mild hamstring strain, but it is not considered serious.

It was reported Monday that the Sixers have agreed to terms with guard Kareem Rush. He has averaged 6.8 points per game and shot 36 percent from three in five seasons with the Lakers, Bobcats and Pacers.

Continue to monitor Hot Stove Philly as we bring you the latest in trade news, reports as the Phillies continue to fight their way back into first place, and from Eagles’ training camp, as well as all the other sports news of the day.

No!

I did not wait 25 years, watch another city lift the championship trophy almost 100 times, and suffer through a Jim McMahon/Jeff Kemp/Pat Ryan/Brad Goebel Eagles team to have an Arena Football League team be the ones who get the glory for finally bringing a championship to this city.

So I better not see a parade down Broad street next week with the city painted teal and black, or have Benjamin Franklin Parkway turned in Matt D’Orazio Way. And while team co-owner John Bon Jovi can throw a free concert if he wants to, do not dare deck out the Billy Penn statue in 80s era Bon Jovi attire.

Let’s take this for what it is: a minor league team won a championship – something that’s been done in this city many times before. In hockey the Phantoms have won two Calder Cups. In indoor soccer the Kixx have won two MISL championships (most recently last year). And in lacrosse the Wings have one six championships, while the Barrage have won three. Yet I don’t recall seeing any of these championships featured on SportsNite on Comcast SportsNet. And why is that? Because they’re not major sports.

So while over the next day or so you’ll read about how this is Philadelphia’s first championship in 25 years, or that the curse is over, or that Arena Football is a “legitimate sport,” know that this is people grasping at straws. Repeat after me. “This. Doesn’t. Count.”

But hey congrats Philadelphia Soul on winning your championship, just don’t try telling me it means anything. Because until the Eagles, Flyers, Phillies or Sixers bring a championship to the city the truth is Billy Penn is still standing on his perch above city hall putting the kibosh on our fun.

Move over Eagles, the Philadelphia Soul are the hottest football team in Philly, and the newest city champs, having won ArenaBowl 22 Sunday. The Soul beat the reigning champion San Jose SaberCats 59-56 in their first ArenaBowl, withstanding a tense late 4th quarter comeback by San Jose.

Both teams scored on their opening drives of the game. Soul Quarterback Matt D’Orazio threw seven touchdowns and ran for one other score. Philadelphia scored on all six of its first-half possessions and took the lead for good with three consecutive touchdowns in the second quarter.

That’s not to say that the SaberCats gave up. San Jose made things very tense in the final minutes, scoring 14 points in 11 seconds in the final minute of the game. Philadelphia scored with 40 seconds left in regulation, after receiving the benefit of a defensive pass interference call on 4th down on a play in the end zone. D’Orazio then hooked up with Phil Bogle three plays later to seemingly seal the game for the Soul at 59-42 with the extra point.

That is when things got dicey. San Jose quarterback Mark Grieb connected with Rodney Wright to bring the game to 59-49. The SaberCats were unsuccessful on the 2-point conversion. They were, however, successful on the onside kick the following play, downing the ball on the Philadelphia 14. San Jose was down by 10 with 28 seconds to go. Eleven seconds later that lead would be reduced to just four, with a touchdown pass to Jason Geathers. San Jose connected on their two point conversion and made it a three point game at 59-56.

Despite another onside kick, the SaberCats would get no closer. Philadelphia recovered the kickoff and was successfully able to run out the remaining time on the clock to win their first championship in their short five year history.

The Soul’s victory was the first championship in Philadelphia since the AHL Philadelphia Phantoms won the Calder Cup in 2005. There hasn’t been a championship in football in Philadelphia since the Eagles won the NFL Championship in 1960, before the establishment of the SuperBowl.

While the Soul’s victory will likely not garner the same kind of attention and enthusiasm from Philadelphia’s fanbase that a Phillies, Eagles, Sixers, or Flyers championship would, it is still an exciting achievement worthy of note and recognition. The Soul have battled through a tough season, one that looked dour early when first string quarterback Tony Graziani sprained his ankle in Week 3, this after he set the franchise record with touchdowns in a game with nine. Newly acquired second string quarterback D’Orazio played most of the remainder of the season and held this team together to a 13-3 record.

It was a remarkable story and on behalf of everyone here at Hot Stove Philly I send our congratulations to the Philadelphia Soul, their owner Jon Bon Jovi, and General Manager Ron Jaworski, the 2008 Arena Football League Champions!