 Thursday, October 30, 2008
Phillies Finish Off Rays in Rain Delayed World Series Game 5
It was hard to tell what was more historic Wednesday evening. Senator Obama's purchase of 30 minute of prime time TV ad time just before the game, the uniqueness of continuing a rain delayed game, or the dramatic finish?
First, congratulations to the Phillies for beating the Rays in the fifth game, 4-3. I was unfortunately wrong in my prediction of the Rays winning in six games.
Bottom Line: The Mets and Yankees have lots of work to do as the World Series teams are teams in their division. It is a miracle that the Mets contended as Lidge saved 51 consecutive games going back to his time with the Astros at the end of 2007 while the Mets had no bullpen to speak of. The Mets must get K-Rod or a similar talented closer. The Phillies clearly have the better bullpen, manager, chemistry, etc.
The Yankees have their work cut out for them too. Mike Mussina will announce in a few days if he will return or not. That will affect the degree of desperation that the Yankees go after CC Sabbathia or other premier starting pitching free agents.
Posted by a concerned Tank in NY.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Retractable Roofs Now!
Last night's World Series Game 5 game looked more like a mud football
game than a baseball game. The announcers were making more football
analogies "making the fair catch signal" than baseball ones. It was so
bad that one of the umpires suspended the Infield Fly Rule either
because the rain was so bad (or because he couldn't see too well). MLB dodged a big bullet as Carlos Pena singled home Upton to tie the game at 2 with 2 out in the top of the sixth inning. The rain was so bad that the World Series was suspended at the bottom of the 6th inning with a 2-2. Imagine
if the Rays didn't tie the game and the rain continued. If the umpires had the grounds crew to come out and the weather worsened which it
did as forecasted. The Phillies would have won the World Series 2-1 in
a rain shortened game. How would you have liked that? OK, probably
most people don't care about the Rays or Phillies but fair is fair. People
should demand that MLB mandate retractable roofs that I wrote way back in 2006 as climate change continues to take its toll. Rain delays didn't help the Yankees and Mets in 2006.
Citizens Bank Park in Philly is a brand new stadium. They have no excuse. When will MLB learn? Maybe when TV ratings go down as people don't want to watch rain delays and watch other things like I did on Saturday night (Ohio State versus Penn State) or last night (C-Span).
Posted by a frustrated Tank writing in the pouring rain.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Wild Pitch and Wild Throw Help End a Rain Delayed World Series Game 3
After a 90 minute rain delay to start the game, 45 year young Jamie Moyer pitched a great game for his hometown Phillies. He was in line to get the win but the Rays tied the game at 4 in the 8th. Taking a page from the classic movie " Major League", Bruntlett took one for the team and was hit by a pitch. With Victorino trying to bunt, Balfour threw a wild pitch and Bruntlett advanced to third on the wild throw to center field. Joe Madden brought in right fielder
and former infielder Zobrist to play in the unorthodox five
man infield. Zobrist traded his outfielder's glove for an
infielder's glove After two intentional walks, Ruiz came to the plate with the bases loaded and no outs. Ruiz
chopped a ball half way down the third baseline. Longoria scooped the ball up, dove,
and overthrew Navarro. Bruntlett scores and the Phillies won 5-4. The Phillies unfortunately lead the World Series two games to one. Tonight's / this morning's game ended at 1:48 a.m., a few minutes after Steve and I left the best All Star Game ever in July. Posted by a tired and disappointed Tank in NY.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Rays Win World Series in Six Games
Unlike the other major two party Presidential candidates, The Tank is taking a stand that the Tampa Bay Rays will win the World Series in six games over the Philadelphia Phillies. Senator McCain claims that Senator Obama is flip-flopping on the issue as both states represent important swing states: "At a small rally at a factory in Bensalem, Pa., McCain said, "'I'm not
dumb enough to get mixed up in a World Series between swing states, but
I think I may have detected a little pattern with Senator Obama. When
he's campaigning in Philadelphia, he roots for the Phillies, and when
he's campaigning in Tampa Bay, he shows love to the Rays.'" If there is a Game 6, Senator Obama has purchased 30 minutes of TV on Fox which will broadcast the World Series. The start time of the game will be delayed. The Rays have the momentum and home field advantage gained when Steve, Kathleen, Jack, and I attended the greatest All Star Game ever at the Stadium in July. We'll see how cold the Phillies bats are after a long time off as the Rockies were last year and the Tigers in 2006. Senator McCain should take a stand and Senator Obama should stop his alleged flip-flopping. That's why I launched this Baseball Integrity Presidential bid. If there is no baseball integrity, what can we expect on other issues of the day? Posted by The Tank on the road to the White House.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Averted Apocalypses
Averted Apocalypse #1: After blowing a seven run lead on Wednesday night with only seven
outs left, the Rays lost to the Red Sox in a possible ALCS clincher in
Game 5 and in Game 6 on Saturday night. As Steve blogged the other day, I feared
the Rays would lose Game 7. Given my loyalties to the Yankees and
Mets, I would face the worst baseball apocalypse, a
Red Sox - Phillies World Series. I would be faced an emotional challenge as formidable as the one I did last month in Nepal. But, I would have nowhere to run or hike to. How would I cope? Who would I root for? I have always rooted for a team in some game, except Georgetown versus Notre Dame in the 2007 Big East Tournament. The
Rays spared me and the world such a fate by winning Game 7 last night
by 3-1. I am really grateful to the Rays for that. I agree with Editor in
Chief and Perma Guest Outlaw Jack and grateful to him for pointing out the magic factor,
the Zim, AKA Don Zimmer.
Zim was an under appreciated factor in the Yankees success in the past
decade. He was the "check and balance" in many of Joe Torre's
decisions. Torre knew how to manage the players' egos and keep the
media in check. Torre was a true manager and Zim was the chief
strategist whose baseball instincts were impeccable. After Zim was unceremoniously let go from the Yankees, the Yankees have yet to win another World Series. Coincidence? I think not. Zim resides in Tampa and is currently a senior consultant to the Rays. Given the
Rays small market and fans nationwide focused on Mannywood versus the
Red Sox, Fox TV executives are officially on suicide watch. Go Rays! Averted Apocalypse #2: Joba Chamberlain was arrested on Driving Under the Influence (DUI) charges over the weekend in Lincoln, Nebraska. Joba
was wrong and apologized for his reckless actions. Most importantly,
no one was hurt, thank God! The innocent citizens of Lincoln, Joba, and the Yankees
dodged a big bullet, touch wood. Posted by a grateful Tank in NY.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Phillies Finish Off the Dodgers and Manny Files for Free Agency
The Phillies finished off the Dodgers last night in Mannywood, I mean Hollywood. Manny Ramirez wasted no time and filed for free agency today. Wow! Manny joked that he deserves more money because gas costs more. Manny hasn't stopped being Manny. Fox's worst nightmare will come true if the Rays win tonight or over the weekend. Fox wanted Manny going against the Boston. Boston is down 3-1 but if anyone can come back, the Red Sox unfortunately have and can. However, props to Editor in Chief and Perma Guest Outlaw Jack for the bringing up the possible omen of the fire at the famous Citgo sign that towers over the Green Monster. Go Rays! Posted by a concerned Tank in NY.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
20th Anniversary of Kurt Gibson's Walk-Off World Series Home Run
I'm not a Dodgers fan. But, Kurt Gibson's home run against the As won Game 1 of the 1988 World Series exactly 20 years ago today. The magic of baseball is that it can change with the swing of a bat. The late great Jack Buck's call of the home run "I don't believe what I just saw!" was equal to the feat itself. Gibson limped around the bases and pumped his arm. The As were favorites to win the World Series but Gibson's home run propelled the Dodgers to victory. I was a freshman in college when it happened. Wow! Time flies! Posted by The Tank in Nostagliaville.
 MLB | Playoffs
 Wednesday, October 15, 2008 9:38:50 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
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Monday, October 13, 2008
Rays Rout the Red Sox
The Tampa Rays routed the Red Sox 9-1 this afternoon at Fenway Park this afternoon. This is huge because the Red Sox are tough at home AND the Rays took a 2 games to 1 lead over the Red Sox. As I write this post, the Dodgers have 5-3 lead on the Phillies. The Phillies have a 2 games to 1 lead over the Dodgers. Last night's game featured a benches clearing incident which resulted in fines for seven players and coaches. Manny was held back from a fight. Nothing unifies a team like a fight and Manny may have increased his value in Mannywood, I mean Hollywood. Posted by The Tank in NY.
Friday, October 10, 2008
"Say it ain't so Joe!"
I'm not quoting Alaska Governor Sarah Palin in her recent Vice Presidential debate against Senator Joe Biden. But, the old adage is directed at former Yankee and current Dodger manager Joe Torre. The Dodgers have fallen behind the Phillies 2-0 in their best of seven NLCS. To their credit, the Phillies defended home field advantage. The Dodgers need to go home and defend their turf. We'll see what happens. Posted by a somewhat apathetic Tank in NY. I'm still not yet totally ready for football, hockey, and basketball.
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
Who to root for in the League Championship Series and World Series?
The MLB post-season has witnessed a perfect storm for the New York baseball fan. (1) The Yankees and Mets didn't make the playoffs. (2) Arch-rivals like the Red Sox, Phillies, and Dodgers remain. How can you root for those teams? (3) That only leaves the Tampa Rays. Though I like Manager Joe Madden and many of the players, it's hard to root for the Rays given my friend Robert's personal row with the owners after the 2007 season and the poor customer service he has received over the years. I have attended several Rays games over the years since 2002 including Mariano's 300th save in May 2004. Most fans are fans of out of town teams like the Yankees, Red Sox, Orioles, etc. It's so bad that Rays players complain that there are more fans of other teams than the Rays fans in their building, Tropicana Field. Maybe success in this post-season will change this trend in future years.
Who Should The Tank Root For: I really can't root for any of the teams but the Rays are the least odious. In the meantime, I am trying to transition into football, basketball, and hockey. Posted by a conflicted Tank in NY.
MLB | Playoffs
Wednesday, October 08, 2008 10:52:36 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
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Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Take It To The Bank With The Tank - "Rock Chalk Jayhawk!"
I reconvened at PG's Place on the Upper West Side to watch the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship Game. PG was with me at the infamous Knicks-Nuggets fight at the Garden in December 2006. Kansas had a five point lead at halftime. Rose hit a sick bank shot with 4:16 left in the second half. It was reviewed to be a two instead of a three. Let's see how that plays out later in the game. Memphis went on 16-4 run to overtake Kansas. But, Kansas got a steal and hit a three to close it to 60-56. Chris Douglas-Roberts hit two free throws to make it 62-56. Joey Dorsey fouled out with 1:23 left. Chris Douglas-Roberts missed a free throw. Kansas scored to make it 62-60. Memphis takes a timeout with 44 seconds left . Robinson got blocked with 20 seconds left. Chris Douglas-Roberts misses two free throws but Dozier gets the rebound. Chris Douglas-Roberts slams the ball down with 10.6 seconds left. Shouldn't he be called for a technical? The refs feel differently and don't call a technical foul. "The Kansas point guard (Collins) should be shot!" (for bringing the ball up so slow). But, "Super Mario" Chalmers bailed him out with a clutch three to tie it at 63. Advantage to Kansas because Dorsey is out with five fouls and Memphis missed four of last five free throws in regulation. Memphis wins the tip but Kansas gets the steal to take a 65-63 lead. PG wants Patrick Ewing going into the Loser's Hall of Fame instead of the Basketball Hall of Fame. Collins' East to West dribbling doesn't get it done for PG. Rush got the outlet, got his rebound to make it 71-65. Chris Douglas-Roberts hits a three to make it 71-68. It was their first basket in over six minutes. "Super Mario" Chalmers hits both ends of the 1 and 1 with 45.1 seconds left in overtime. Collins from Kansas slips loses the ball on the inbound. PG is about to kill him. "Don't dribble!" PG yells at Memphis before Chris Douglas-Roberts misses a three. Kansas came back from down nine with two minutes left in regulation. Kansas wins 75-68. Congratulations to KU! Congratulations to Coach Bill Self! Congratulations to Assistant Coach Danny Manning for getting into the College Basketball Hall of Fame on Sunday. Larry Brown coached Danny and the Miracles to Kansas' last championship in 1988. It was a very memorable time as I was on my high school senior trip to Washington, DC. For those keeping the score, The Tank picked Kansas to win it all at the beginning of the tournament, touch wood. (This is even more accurate than my pick of Ohio State beating Florida 75-73 in last year's Finals. However, it was as accurate as my Yankees 94 win prediction during the Yankees' darkest hour last summer or Ohio State beating Michigan by three points in the Immortality Bowl in November 2006 to beat out ESPN's Scouts Inc who had Michigan winning the game by three points.) If you ever have a chance to go to Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kansas, please go. I trained in Lawrence in team handball in the U.S. Olympic Festival in Los Angeles in the summer of 1991. In between training sessions, I went to the "Phog" with a couple of teammates. The lights were off during the day and sunlight streamed through the windows. It is a basketball cathedral and I heard the ghosts from the past. "Rock Chalk Jayhawk!" "Rock Chalk Jayhawk!" It's times like that make college sports so much more special than professional sports. Posted by a psyched up Tank at PG's Place on the Upper West Side.
Sunday, April 06, 2008
And Then There Were Two - Final Four
I stopped by PG's place on the Upper West Side to watch the Final Four. The first game was Memphis against UCLA.
Both teams had trouble making baskets in the last ten minutes, especially UCLA didn't hit a three point basket until less than a minute left.
Memphis' Chris Douglas-Roberts had trouble making shots down the stretch.
What impressed me most was that Memphis was able to win in a half court game. Yes, they prefer up tempo but can win playing patiently. More importantly, they continue to make free throws. They were 58.7 percent during the season and 87.0 percent tonight. Unbelievable!
UCLA has won three straight Final Fours and came up short 78-63 to Memphis.
Congratulations to Memphis for winning a historic 38 games!
--------
The second game featured North Carolina versus Kansas in a match up of traditional powers.
Kansas tried to take Tyler Hansbrough out of his game. My advice is make him work on the defensive side to wear him out later in the game.
Kansas jumped out to an early lead leading 23-10 at 11:30 mark in the first half. Kansas stretched it to 31-10 at the mid way point of the first half.
Aldrich had longer arms than Hansbrough to get a rebound at 9:32. I made this point yesterday.
Kansas nails a three pointer to take a 38-12 lead at 7:32. PG says "it's over!" There is still lots of basketball left. Carolina has to start running plays or they will continue to be run out of the gym. They are taking too many ill advised three point shots.
PG asks "if the guy is bleeding, should a foul not be called." Good point bro!
Carolina didn't make a field goal for 9:03.
Carolina then goes on a 10-0 run to close the lead to 40-22 at 2:27.
Kansas is tired but has a 44-27 lead at half time.
"17 is doable," PG says. I agree.
After halftime, Kansas ran a perfect give and go to extend the lead to 19. You couldn't diagram it. Kansas weathered Carolina's initial run.
Carolina cuts it to 14 at the first TV timeout at 15:54 left in the second half.
PG predicts for a pivotal moment with five minutes left. Kansas needs to go back to basics. I agree with PG.
Carolina's half court trap works. They get the tie up to cut it to 54-44. "Why are they taking three pointers?" PG asks. I agree.
Kansas went dry for over five minutes. Carolina closed it to 54-50 with 11:08 left.
"How much has Michael Jordan bet on this game?" I ask PG. PG thinks the same thing as Jordan is a serial gambler and most famous Carolina alum. Talk about ESP.
Collins hit a key basket with 5:25 to increase the lead to 67-59. PG's basketball instincts are as good as anyone's. The refs finally call a travel on Hansbrough at 3:40.
"Have movies gone AWOL?" PG asks in reaction to the "I Hate Sarah Marshall" movie trailer.
"Does Kansas know anything about clock management?" PG asks as Kansas pulls for a quick shot with about three minutes left.
It's nice to see Larry Brown in the stands. PG thinks he is a "tortured artist".
"Tyler Hansbrough always looks like he is going cry. How can the best college player have such a herky-jerky game? Aldrich has ten times more grace than Hansbrough." PG observes even though he hasn't seen these teams play this season. PG is more a NBA fan than college fan.
Kansas wins 84-66. "Rock Chalk Jayhawk!"
Posted by The Tank reporting live from PG's Place on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.
Monday, February 04, 2008
Super Upset! The Tank Wins Free Cold Stone Ice Cream
Most of the gang convened at PermaGuest Outlaw Jack's and Michelle's place in Queens for the Super Bowl.
Kathleen was the only real Giants fan out of the dozen or so people gathered. Jack is a Jets fan, Steve is an ex-Jets fan, JH is a Vikings fan, and I am a Bills fan. You get the idea. We put our differences aside and all rallied behind the Giants. JH printed out multiple copies of the Bridget Moynahan mask but I was the only one to wear it. Linda bought a birthday cake for Jack's birthday on Tuesday the 5th. That's the real Super Tuesday. Happy Birthday Jack!
I explained the Boston Sports Apocalypse to the newbies. Everyone understood the Biblical and sports implications of this game. Steve set aside his dislike of Eli as everything was on the line. "Go Eli!" Steve shouted below. Steve promised to have a drink every time Eli did something good and he was pretty hammered by the end of the night.
Steve rooting for Eli is almost as profound as me rooting for Rex Grossman who I am considering suing for accelerating my hair loss after his erratic play screwed up my picks.
Ralph, Hannah, and Juliette were total stangers but we clicked within minutes. No need for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers during the Halftime Show. We entertained ourselves when Michelle put on the Sarah Silverman/Matt Damon and Bill Gates YouTube videos. Adam, Jack, Hannah, and Juliette introduced me to the Guitar Hero video game. Joe was entertaining in his own unique way.
There were lots of ups and downs but we stuck together and rooted the Giants onto the 17-14 victory. As a New Yorker, I received immense satisfaction from the Giants stopping the Boston Sports Apocalypse which started with the Red Sox winning last year and the Celtics being the best team in the NBA.
I was right that the Giants would beat the spread but never so happy to be wrong about the Patriots losing though I would have been right in winning wire to wire for the second straight season with the Colts and Patriots, respectively. I am also happy that Buffalo Steve, his wife Teresa, and their daughters (my Goddaughters) can sleep better at night as they won't have to hear the Bill Belichick being compared to his hero and former Steelers coach Chuck Noll.
Mega thanks to PermaGuest Outlaw Jack and Michelle for throwing a great Super Bowl Party!
Congratulations to die hard Giants fans like Kathleen and her parents, PG, Brooklyn Pete, Queens Pete, David, and Eddie Trunk. Congratulations to me for winning the free Cold Stone Ice Cream bet! 
Posted by an overjoyed Tank in football Heaven.
Saturday, February 02, 2008
Tom Brady's Achilles Heel
Athletes are rarely rattled but there is a way to get under everyone's skin. Tom Brady is no exception. Local rock station Q104.3 recently made a great point about trying to get under Brady's skin.
"Tom and Bridget dated for two years, and Bridget got pregnant around the time they broke up -- a split that was curiously close to the time that he started dating Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen. Their relationship has been, well, frosty ever since; Bridget even named their son John Edward Thomas Moynahan, not only leaving out the Brady name but giving him the initials JET! (And you know how the Patriots loooove the Jets...)"
Boston Red Sox fans tried to distract my buddy A-Rod with masks of a blonde similar to the young lady that he was hanging out with in Toronto last year. This is New York's turn to return the favor.
To do so, please go to the following links: http://www.q1043.com/pages/images/BridgetMoynahan.pdf If you're going to the game, please wear the mask. If you are within earshot of Tom Brady, please ask him about his illegitimate son. This technique worked once before when I asked Chipper Jones in Game 4 of the 1999 World Series at Yankee Stadium about his illegitimate son and we all know who won that World Series in a four game sweep.
Go Giants! Bridget, If you are still single, so is The Tank.
Posted by The Tank in NY.
NFL | Playoffs
Saturday, February 02, 2008 1:36:04 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
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Thursday, January 31, 2008
Super Bowl Prediction
Two Weeks Ago: I was 1-1 in the Conference Championship games and 34-14 on the season.
Super Bowl Prediction: The Pats were my Super Bowl pick going back to the NFL Draft and my pre-season picks. I normally like being correct. I want and need to be wrong as the Boston Apocalypse is upon our door. World peace and harmony hangs in the balance.
However, I have to be intellectually honest to you, my dear readers. After much deliberation, I think the Patriots will win 27-17 but there is some consolation for the gamblers that the Giants will cover the 12 point spread. I have a free Cold Stone ice cream riding on the line. The Giants are such under dogs that I will get a free Cold Stone ice cream if the Giants win. If the Giants lose, I owe the bettor nothing. Talk about an underdog.
How can the Giants win?
(1) Soften up the Patriots defense with Bradshaw the speedester and Jacobs the bruiser. This keeps Tom Brady and the potent Patriots offense off the field.
(2) Give Tom Brady different looks. Yes, Tom Brady is a very smart quarterback. White Fedora Mike and I suspect that last week's leg boot was a ruse. BUT, just maybe, a rush can slow him down or make him make an uncharacteristic mistake.
Keep the faith! Go Giants!
Posted by a prayerful Tank in NY.
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
Is it Joe Torre's Last Walk to the Dugout?
As I entered Yankee Stadium, Reggie Jackson threw out the ceremonial first pitch on the 30th Anniversary of his three home run game against the Dodgers.
Instead of pitching Mike Mussina, Joe Torre went with Ching-Ming Wang on three days rest. Wang hasn't been good on three days rest but you have to be a riverboat gambler. Grady Sizemore hits a lead off home run after throwing initial strike. Cabrera grounds out to Mientkiewicz. Hafner grounds down the third baseline where A-Rod wasn't because of the shift. Martinez grounds out to Wang but Hafner advances to second on the force. Peralta singles to shallow center to score Hafner. Lofton grounds out to Wang to end the top of the first.
At the end of a half, Indians 2 - Yankees 0.
How will the Yankees answer the bell against Indians starter Paul Byrd?
Johnny Damon comes up to loud applause but grounds out to short. Jeter is hitting .083 in the ALDS and due to breakout, God Willing. The Captain delivers on the first pitch with a single to right thank God! Jeter doesn't steal often but has speed and steals in crucial situations. Abreu singles to the almost the same spot in right. My buddy A-Rod comes up to bat to the chant of "MVP! MVP!". Will he repeat Reggie three home run night 30 years earlier? It's unlikely, but that's why they play the game. A-Rod strikes out. Darn it! Posada is only 1 for 10 coming into tonight. Posada hits it to left but Lofton makes a great diving catch. Darn it! At the end of the first, Indians 2 - Yankees 0.
Gutierrez singles to center. Jerry DiMaggio is getting surgery at Sloan-Kettering according to the radio broadcast. Good luck Jerry! (Speaking of Sloan-Kettering, please sponsor me in the run against cancer in the NYC Marathon through my Sloan-Kettering Home Page and Donate links.) Blake singles past Jeter to left. Mussina is up warming up to pitch to Shoppach. Shoppach walks down first as was hit-by-pitch. But, was he hit by the pitch? All six umpires confer and decide that the original call was right. The Indians have bases loaded with no one out and Sizemore coming to the plate. That's it for Wang. Here comes for Mussina. Let's see what the veteran has. Can he stop the bleeding? Will this be like his 2003 ALCS relief appearance against the Red Sox? One can only hope.
Moose chants ring throughout the Stadium. Sizemore grounds out into a 4-6-3 double play. Gutierrez scores to make it 3-0. Cabrera singles in Blake on what should have been strike three on 1-2 and the Indians take a 4-0 lead. Hafner walks. Martinez is Paul Byrd's personal catcher. Garko is available off the bench. Martinez grounds out to Cano. At the end of an inning and a half, Indians 4 - Yankees 0.
Matsui leads off in the second. There is an argument at home plate. Did the catcher's mitt hit Matsui's bat? No, after argument from Joe Torre. Byrd was winding up and then Matsui calls time. The replay according to the radio broadcast proves Joe right but the Yankees didn't get the call. Matsui works out a walk after being down 0-2. I'll say it once, I'll say it again, you have to take pitches, especially against a location pitcher like Byrd. If he's off just a bit, you can get in his head. Cano singles to center. Melky Cabrera pops out to Blake. Mientkiewicz should bunt. We'll see if he does. Mientkiewicz fouls several pitches which is in my sayings "Increase the pitch count, increase the peace.". Mientkiewicz works out a bunt. Damon pops up to the left field line. Jeter hits the ball to Blake who keeps the ball in the infield. The Captain comes through again. Abreu pops out to center. At the end of two, Indians 4 - Yankees 1.
Can Moose stop the bleeding? Peralta leads off and walks after the 2-2 pitch was close. Lofton pops up to Melky Cabrera. Gutierrez strikes out looking. Sweet as "Moose" chants echo throughout the Stadium. Blake strikes out swinging.
Clips from the new classic "300" are displayed on the Jumbotron in right center field. Will the Yankees "stand and fight?"
A-Rod leads off the third. He can't swing a long golf swing to hit a five run home run. Just get on base. A-Rod strikes out looking on a pitch that appeared to be outside. Posada hits a double to the right field wall. "Hit Hit Jorge!". Matsui grounds out to first but Posada advances to third. Cano pops out to near the Warning Track in center. At the end of three, Indians 4 - Yankees 1.
Shoppach hits a ground rule double to lead off the fourth. Sizemore tries to bunt but stops trying after two strikes. Sizemore works a full count and walks. Asdrubal Cabrera tries to bunt. Asdrubal bunt was perfect down the third baseline. Moose throws to Mientkiewicz. Hafner is intentionally walked to load the bases. Martinez singles to left which scores two. Peralta grounds out to A-Rod who touches third and throws to first to get the double play and end the inning. At the end of three and a half, Indians 6 - Yankees 1.
Cabrera singles to lead off the Yankee fourth. Mientkiewicz bloops out to Peralta in deep, deep short. Damon pops up to right. Jeter lines out to Blake. At the end of four, Indians 6 - Yankees 1.
Hafner flies out to Cabrera to start the fifth. Gutierrez flies out deep to Cabrera. Blake strikes out looking. Great job Moose!
It's time for the "Will you marry me?" and Happy Birthday features in between innings. No need to panic ladies, the Tank is still available. There were no proposals but a very touching thank you to a police officer for saving "Jeff's life." We often forget about the real heroes are in society and focus too much on those the playing field.
Abreu grounded out to first. A-Rod shortens his swing like I advised and singled to left. Posada lines out to second. Matsui flies out on the first pitch to shallow left. Darn it. At the end of five, Indians 6 - Yankees 1.
Moose comes out for the start of the sixth. Shoppach leads off the sixth as Jose Veras warms in the Yankee bullpen. Shoppach flies out to right. Sizemore grounds out to Mientkiewicz who threw high to Moose. Moose jumped and landed but the runner was called safe as boos ring out. John and Suzyn report that Sizemore is out. (This is another call that didn't go the Yankees way.) Asdrubal Cabrera flies out to Melky Cabrera. Joe comes to get the ball from Moose. He gave up two runs in 4.2 innings. Not great, but solid. Ron Villone is a last minute roster replacement for Clemens who can't pitch until the World Series if the Yankees make it. As in 3:30 pm Monday afternoon. A fan near me asks what the NFL score is and they are amazed that I have two Blackberries (to cover all the sports action for you). Bills 17 - Cowboys 10. Hafner flies out to Damon to end the top of the sixth.
Cano hits a solo shot to my right to lead off the sixth. Indians 6 - Yankees 2. That's it for Byrd. As the Indians go to their bullpen, the Jumbotron shows the "Rocky" theme.
Mayors Guiliani and Bloomberg get a mix of cheers and boos while Tino Martinez gets deafening cheers.
Cabrera steps to the plate while the "Let's Go Yankees" chant echoes around the Stadium. Perez is the Indians relief pitcher. Melky grounds out to Blake who spun around. Shelley Duncan comes in for Mientkiewicz. Almost everyone is standing except two guys in front of me. Shelley hits past the diving second baseman. Johnny Damon steps to the plate as the crowd chants his name. Johnny Be Good singles past the first baseman as Shelley Duncan sprints to third. Even the two two guys in front of me stand up as Jeter comes to the plate. The Indians bullpen has yet to give up a run. No time like the present as Perez throws another first pitch ball to Jeter. Jeter takes a strike on a 2-0 pitch. Jeter hits into an inning ending double play. Ouch! That hurts. At the end of six, Indians 6 - Yankees 1.
Farnsworth starts the top of the seventh. Martinez strikes out swinging. Peralta singles to left. Lofton fouls off a few pitches and flies out to Melky Cabrera. Gutierrez strikes out looking. Good job Farnsworth!
Get up and stretch! Roland Rynan sings sings "God Bless America." Well done Roland! He pumps his fist as he goes back to the stands.
Abreu struck out to start the seventh. A-Rod hits a foul ball a few sections from me. He then hits an A-Bomb to the Monuments. Wooo!!!!! My buddy A-Rod comes through. Indians 6 - Yankees 3. "Hip Hip Jorge" chants echo throughout but he grounds out to third for the second out. The Indians keep Perez in to face Matsui and Cabrera. Matsui walks. What a professional hitter! Cano grounds out to first. At the end of seven, Indians 6 - Yankees 3.
San Diego Rich checks in between innings. He asks if I caught the ball near the Monuments because it looked liked me on TV but unfortunately not.
Veras starts the top of the eighth against Blake and strikes him out looking. Shoppach doubles to Death Valley. It almost went out. Joe Torre comes in to talk to Veras. The Indians must be held here. Torre returns to the dugout as the fans chant his name. Sizemore is intentionally walked and then Joe pulls Veras to bring in Mariano. Is this Joe Torre's last walk to the dugout?
Cabrera grounds out to Cano who throws to Jeter for the force at second. Hafner grounds out to the Captain who gets the ball just in time to Shelley Duncan.
Cabrera faces Betancourt, the latest Cleveland reliever, and grounds out to short. The Giambino should hit a pool shot down the third baseline. Giambi strikes out swinging. Johnny Damon hits a foul ball which goes a section above me and then falls two sections over. Damon strikes out swinging to end the eighth. Indians 6 - Yankees 3.
In between innings, many fans start making their way to the exits, even a few Bleacher Creatures. Not the Tank. "Winners never quit and quitters never win.". A video montage of Tino Martinez get rousing applause again.
Victor Martinez leads off the ninth and singles to center. Peralta singles to right. Lofton grounds out to short to get the force at second for the first out. Gutierrez strikes out swinging. The fans in the section to my right start to jeer one of their own. Blake hits a ball deep to Death Valley but catches it at the warning track. Whoa!
Borowski lead the AL in saves with 45. Let's hope he returns to his April form where A-Rod hit a walk off home run.
Can Jeter, Abreu, and A-Rod repeat past heroics shown on the Jumbotron?
Father Alex e-mails me about the Bills. I ask him to pray for the Yankees. Jeter pops out to second. Abreu hit a solo shot above me. Woooo!!!!! Indians 6 - Yankees 4. Not dead yet.
A-Rod is 2 for 4 including a solo home run coming into this at bat. A-Rod takes a couple of close pitches as the "MVP" chant rings out. A-Rod flies out to right. Posada is .143 in the series and 1 for 4 coming to this at bat. Posada hits a ball that almost went out but went foul one section over from me. OMG! I almost get complete foul ball closure but Posada strikes out swinging. The Indians win the game 6-4 and the ALDS 3 games to 1.
Bottom Line: Given the bugs in Game 2 and at least three major calls going against the Yankees in Game 4, I tip my hat to the Indians who played well and wish them luck against the Red Sox.
When most gave up on the Yankees this season, the Tank did NOT. In the Yankees Comeback Blueprint on July 12, I predicted the exact number of wins regular season wins, 94. Yes, we failed in not winning the World Series and there will be many changes probably starting with Joe Torre. However, this was Joe's best managing job being a lightning rod absorbing criticism from the Boss on down. Many people call for firing Torre. I do not because his contract expires at the end of the month. I think Joe should walk into the sunset. He is 67 with a young family and it's not worth the abuse from the Boss and the fans. Bring in Giardi, Mattingly, or go to outside the organization for Tony LaRussa.
Furthermore, you can't rebuild overnight nor take a couple of years off like the Indians did earlier this decade. I remember former GM John Hart telling fans that they are developing young talent and asking their fans to be patient. I had a chance to see some games of their AAA affiliate, the Buffalo Bisons, in the 1990s and it is some of the best attended games in the minors and they develop their talent. It worked for them but it's a much different media market and overall culture than impatient gotta have it yesterday New York.
The Yankees also got younger and better this season. Yes, Roger Clemens was a very expensive band-aid but the lessons learned by young pitchers like Chamberlain, Hughes, and others will be reaped for the next decade or so.
The next step is for the Yankees to lighten up the payroll. Carl *#@! Pavano's $10 million a season deal ends at the end of 2008. The Yankees should get a refund for the past three seasons and I should get a date with his ex-girlfriend. Giambi's, Farnsworth's, Mussina's (option for 2009), and other mega contracts contract end in the next year. Use that money to go after good young and proven free agents and not have to pay luxury tax to ungrateful teams like Tampa and Florida.
If you can't be excited by a young core of pitchers like Wang, Hughes, Kennedy, Chamberlain (who should be a reliever not a starter), and others in 2008 and beyond, I can't help you because you have more issues than me. Combine other young players like Cano, Cabrera, Duncan, etc. with veterans like Jeter and Damon. Posada and Rivera will almost re-sign with 100 percent certainty (God Willing), Matsui about 75 percent, A-Rod 60 percent, and Abreu is above 50 percent because his second half surge and ninth inning home run last night. I like Betemit and Molina as solid backups.
Posted by a grieving but optimistic Tank reporting Live from Yankee Stadium in the Boogie Down Bronx.
Monday, October 08, 2007
The Rocket's Last Stand?
I went to a familiar place, Yankee Stadium, but sat in an unfamiliar spot, the right field loge. This is one of the few corners of the Stadium I have never sat in before. I miss my Bleacher Creature brethren and my seats which have a better view. Plus, I have a blind spot of the right field porch below me.
Coming into the game, I liked the Yankees chances. Of course, the Yankees should have won on Friday to get the split in Cleveland. However, it didn't go our way. Before global warming the Indians used to be known as June Bugs, now they are known the October Bugs.
I liked the Yankees chances because of the pitching matchups. Westbrook has a 12 ERA against the Yankees this season and the Yankees have Rocket with Hughes, Mussina, and a cast of many from the bullpen. If there is a Game 4, I like Wang over Byrd. That would setup Pettitte versus Sabbathia in Game 5. I'll roll the dice with anyone on that one.
Infield single by Cabrera scored the first Indians run. The Yankees went down in order so the Indians lead 1-0 at the end of the first inning.
I knew the Indians are going to bunt because of Roger's tender hamstring. Lofton was hitting .714 going into this at bat. I wish he could have done it when he was on the Yankees. Lofton pops out to Jeter.
According to the radio broadcasters, Nixon hadn't hit a home run in ages (July 7 against Toronto to be exact) then of course turns around and hits a home run to right field. The Indians lead 2-0.
Sizemore singles to right and then steals second. Cabrera flies out to Melky Cabrera. The Indians lead 2-0 after an inning and a half.
As I am showing my fellow fans A-Rod's photo with me, he hits to left. Posada grounds out into a ground play. Giambi grounds out to shallow right field. Darn it!
As the Indians come to bat in the third, Philip Hughes is warming up in the bullpen. Gene Monahan the Trainer, Joe Torre, Ron Guidry, and the team gather at home plate after Roger throws a few pitches. Roger convinces them that he'll be okay, touch wood. Hafner gets on with a walk. Clemens' good intentions and assurances don't work out as his left hamstring is injured and he comes out of the game to thunderous applause. Is this the Rocket's last stand?
Hughes takes his time to warm up. Hafner advances to second on Hughes' wild pitch. Peralta doubles to right field and Hafner scores from second. Lofton flies out to left.
On one good leg, Matsui hustles out an infield single. Cano works a full count but grounds out to first. Since Matsui was running on the pitch, he avoids the double play. Cabrera hits the ball in front of home plate. Martinez threw to third but Matsui hustled to third. Safe! Boo yeah! Damon works a 3-1 count and singles to right. Matsui scores and Cabrera thinks twice about going to third. Yeah!
The Captain comes to the plate with one out. He is only hitting .111 and hits into his second straight double play. At the end of three, Indians 3 - Yankees 1.
Can the Yankees bullpen hold the Indians here to get back in the game?
Hughes gets Nixon to strike out. Blake flies out to Cabrera. On a full count, Sizemore strikes out. Boo yeah!
In between innings, Disco Stu and friends are up to their dancing ways. The cameraman should have focused more on the brunette with a red top and sun glasses instead of Disco Stu IMHO.
Abreu grounded out to Westbrook. A-Rod comes to nervous cheers. He flies out to shallow left on the first pitch. You have to take pitches. Does anyone listen to me? Many people blame A-Rod but Posada is 0 for the ALDS coming into this at bat. A fan to my right starts the "Hip Hip Jorge!" chant. Posada grounds out to second to end the fourth. Indians 3 - Yankees 1.
Hafner hits a grounder past Cano. It was rightly scored an error. Martinez flies out to Cabrera. Garko is struck out on three straight pitches.
A "Bug Off Tribe Go Yankees" sign is shown on the Jumbotron in between innings. Well said! I get a family photo of similar sentiments after the game.
Giambino needs to hit a pool shot down the third baseline. He doesn't and strikes out. Darn it! Matsui hits a hard single to left. What a true professional! Cano needs to hit it the opposite way. He doubles to left. Boo yeah! Someone finally listens to me. Thank God! Cabrera comes to the plate while a deafening "Let's Go Yankees!" chant surrounds the Stadium. The Melk Man delivers and listens to me with a left field single. Matsui scores to close the game to 3-2. The Indians bullpen starts warming up with double barrelled action. During a meeting at the mound, the Beastie Boys "Fight for your right (to Party)" echoes throughout the Stadium. Damon listens to me and takes the third pitch to right field. Yankees 5 - Indians 3. Woooo! What a home run but my obstructed view from my new seats dampens the effect. Nina from work and San Diego Rich e-mail me on my office and personal Blackberries. I give double barrelled (Blackberry) action a whole new menaing. Jeter flies out to center for the second out. Abreu flies out deep show. At the end of five,
Yankees 5 - Indians 3.
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