 Tuesday, September 12, 2006
The Japanese Baseball Emperor returns
Tuesday marked Hideki "Godzilla" Matsui's triumphant return to the Boogie Down Bronx after being injured on May 11. It is a testament to his hard work and professionalism. Since he is so revered in Japan, I like to refer to Hideki as the "Japanese Baseball Emperor". Hideki went 4-4 and even worked out a walk which is a good test of his left wrist as it was a close pitch on a full count.
Bobby Abreu led the way with seven RBIs and almost had a grand slam which was caught at the wall. Mike Mussina pitched 6.1 solid innings. The Yankees beat the Tampa D-Rays 12-4.
As for Derek Jeter, Joe Torre apologized to him for taking him out in the seventh inning and Derek said that he wasn't "going to catch Joe D. anyway". However, Derek's 21 game hit streak continues because he did NOT have an official AB with three walks and a HBP. Let's see if Derek can catch Joe D.
Posted by The Tank in NY.
Monday, September 11, 2006
What I Learned on September 11
September 11th's lessons are profound on many levels, e.g. geopolitical, security, etc. which I'll leave for others to debate and discuss. I'll describe two personal lessons that were driven home that fateful day.
(1) Sometimes God doesn't reveal His answers immediately but that's part of the mystery of life. For instance, my best friend from college, Bay Ridge Bob, got me an interview in August 1999, in his company that was literally packing up and moving as I was interviewing from 61 Broadway to the 78th and 79th floors of the World Trade Center. I had a good interview and it seemed like a great crew to work with. Working with my best friend, doing fun computer stuff, and getting paid to talk on (er, work with) Nextel Walkie-Talkies. What could be better? Though Bay Ridge Bob pulled for me, I didn't get the job. I was angry at myself but thankfully transferred from the Help Desk to Network Operations after Luis V. took the LA IT Manager's job in October 1999. The second plane went through the 80th floor, just above where I would have worked. Bay Ridge Bob thankfully was late because he went to vote that morning. My perspective boss, Jonathan, thankfully escaped with jet fuel on his shirt from the second plane that had crashed through the floor above. Unfortunately, there were four people in that company that never made it out. Since I vote via absentee ballot and would have been on time, I may have been the fifth victim. I now understood God's answer on why I didn't get the job in August 1999.
(2) Don't procrasinate about your feelings for someone, say what you feel TODAY. I took a Windows 2000 course after work starting in the Spring of 2001. I sat next to this cute girl named Chapelle R. Sarker. After working all day, she would elbow me in the ribs or shoulder to keep me awake. As spring became summer, we started the Exchange part of the course that her and her colleague said that they would pick up in the Fall. OK, I told myself, I'll ask her out in the Fall. She worked for Marsh somewhere in the 90s of WTC and never made it out. Procrastination got the better of me again. Don't procrastinate, say what you feel to the people you care about. R.I.P. Chapelle and all the other innocent victims who passed on that tragic day five years ago. You are missed and loved. Sincerely and God Bless.
Posted by a mourning Tank in NY.
Sunday, September 10, 2006
New York-Penn League Semi-Final Playoff Subway Series, Brooklyn Cyclones at Staten Island Yankees
The Staten Island Yankees beat the Brooklyn Cyclones 5-2 on Saturday night to take a 1-0 lead in the best of three New York - Penn League Semifinal series. Will the Brooklyn Cyclones be able to reverse their fortunes at Richmond County Bank Ballpark at St. George?
Steve's relative Seth Fortenberry singles in the first run in the bottom of the third. After Wilmer Pino was Hit By a Pitch, the bases were loaded. Mitchell Hilligoss hit a bases clearing single to left error. Kyle Larsen hits a home run over the right field fence -- hard to see from my angle if it made the water or not. 6 to 0 at the end of three.
Chicken dance going into the bottom of the fourth.
Fortenberry makes a great catch to preserve Tim Norton's no-hitter.
The Yankees add on another run in the sixth after Wilkins DeLaRosa singles to left fielder Dustin Martin while Christopher Kunda scores.
On a hard hit shot hit by Dustin Martin in the seventh, the Yankees first basemen Kevin Smith recovers just in time to preserve the no-hitter. Tim Norton for the Yankees is pitching great but Daniel Murphy breaks up the no-hitter with a single to right with two outs in the seventh.
An elderly gentleman makes a nice catch of a foul ball behind home plate. As this rate, I am going to be elderly before I catch one as none have come even close to me today.
The SI Yankees sweep the best of three series 9 to 0 with 12 hits and no errors while the Cyclones only have two hits and two errors. Norton gets the win.
Since it was a Sunday (and they must have heard me complain about it), the SI Yankees let fans of all ages including the Tank run the bases.
Good luck to the Yankees in the next round defending their NY-Penn title.
Posted by the Tank live from Richmond County Bank Ballpark at St. George
Mets demolish Dodgers at Shea
It's September and the leaves are a changin' so the playoffs are right around the corner.
As I am riding the 7 train to Shea, I see a Mets fan writing "2006 NL East Champs" with a black Sharpie pen on a white t-shirt. I yell out "No! You're going to jinx it!". Even though I recent wrote "Braves Burial" that the Atlanta Braves were ALMOST mathematically eliminated, the Braves are still 14 time defending NL East Champions until they are dethroned. Hopefully sooner than later but I am very superstitious.
Saturday's showdown at Shea offered a possible playoff preview with the Dodgers on Italian Day at Shea.
El Duque started for the Mets and future Hall of Famer "The Professor" Greg Maddux started for the Dodgers who is second on the all time wins list behind Roger Clemens with 330.
It was my first time seeing Nomar Garciparra play since Derek Jeter's classic dive into the stands to catch a foul ball on July 1, 2004. Unlike most of the Boston Red Sox, Nomar was actually sitting down in the dugout. Within a month, he was traded to the Chicago Cubs.
The Dodgers fans must have brought the sun and humidity with them to Shea today.
The Mets take a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second on a Carlos Delgado home run.
Kenny Lofton, who has played for eight teams over the past six seasons including the Yankees, starts the top of the fourth and flies out to right field because of a nice catch by Shawn Green at the wall. Steve and Mets GM Omar Minyara are so right about this guy.
As the Tank goes to the restroom in the bottom of the Fourth in his inspirational superstition, David Wright doubles to right-center but is not driven home.
Lofton singles home catcher Russell Martin to tie the game at one in the top if the sixth. Nomar lines to DW who gets "The Professor" in a run down going home and El Duque tags him out. (Maddux later admits that the run down wears him out as he gave up the single to Valentin to start the bottom of the sixth.)
J.D. Drew singles home to take the lead.
In the bottom of the sixth, a little boy a couple of rows in front of me and a little girl several rows back yell out "Let's Go Mets!" and Jose Valentin immediately doubles. Very cute and it's better than them crying. Carlos Beltran is intentionally walked and "The Professor" goes to the bench. Tim Hamulack is the new pitcher. Delgado flies out to right field to advance the runners to second and third. The Dodgers bring in a new pitcher to face DW.
DW singles to center to score two runs. Mets lead 3-2 after sixth innings.
Get up and stretch!
As a pinch runner, Lastings Milledge is caught in a run down to end the seventh.
Aaron Heilman works an effective eighth.
Bon Jovi's "Livin' on a Prayer" is the XM Satellite Radio Eighth Inning Song.
El Profesor Jose Reyes hit a ground rule double to center to start the bottom of the eighth which could have been another inside the park home run as Steve reported Thursday night because he was actually running sooner out of the box. Valentin flies out to first while trying to sacrifice him. Reyes steals third while Beltran is at bat with one out. The Dodgers decide to intentionally walk Beltran with Delgado coming up. Whoa! Buckle up! The Dodgers unfortunately turn a 5-4-3 double play.
Metallica's "Enter Sandman" blares as Mets closer Billy Wagner comes into the top of the ninth.
The Armitron Attendance is 47,062.
J.D. Drew grounds out to Valentin. Jeff Kent is almost called out on 2-2 but singles on 3-2 to center. Kent is replaced with pinch runner Jason Repko. Olmedo Saenz is the pinch hitter. On a strike 'em out, throw 'em double play, the Mets strike out Saenz and solid defensive backup catcher Kelly Stinnett throws out Repko to end the game. Put it in the books, the Mets are "Takin' Care of Business" and demolish the Dodgers 3-2.
Posted by the Tank live from Shea!
 Live! | MLB
 Saturday, September 09, 2006 11:21:02 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
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Thursday, September 07, 2006
Jooose, Jose, Jose, Joooose, Jose
Joooooooooooooooooose!
Linda, her Mom and I get to the game at Shea and we are in the 3rd row behind the Dodgers on-deck circle. Besides the years I worked at Shea, this is the closest I ever sat at a Mets’ game.
The Mets put runs on the board early. Tom Glavine was putting 0s on the board. I booed Jeff Kent. As the game progressed security kept “shushing” me when I taunted the Dodgers in the on-deck circle or when I taunted the Dodgers ball boy trying to get the Tank a ball. Linda thought Dodgers’ starter Brad Penny was cute (“but in a red neck kind of way”), I did the only thing a good friend can do; I tried to get his digits for her. (Security goons have more issues.) Linda’s Mom suggested I set her up with David Wright since we are on the 3rd base side of home plate. Linda thought the 11 year age difference was too much. I remind her of David’s recent huge contract.
Linda’s mom was keeping score. We argued over if a walk was a W (as indicated in the Mets’ scorecard) or BB. A tigh-ass lawyer in front of us shushed Linda and I since we were talking about Sarbanes-Oxley and my company’s potential WTO lawsuit. Whatever, lighten up dude.
Well he did lighten up. In the bottom of the 6th, David Wright scored a much needed insurance run (hey Tom Glavine is only at his second game back.) Then with 2 on and 2 out my MVP candidate, Jose Reyes hit his 18th home run of the season. But this was no normal home run; it was hit Jose Reyes style. It was an amazing Inside the Park Home Run! He hit the ball 400 feet off the left-center wall and by the time the outfielder picked up the ball, Jose was rounding third-there was not even a play at the plate (he slid anyway).
So Jose Reyes is a legitimate MVP candidate. Batting .300, 18 home runs, a gazillion steals, 71 RBIs and 111 runs scored, this guy is an MVP. If he is not MVP he should be MEP, Most Exciting Player. If the Mets do win the World Series, Jose will be the MVP, mark my words-you read it here first.
Mets win 7-0. Glavine passed Jim Kaat and moved into 32nd place on baseball's career strikeout list with 2,463 while getting his 288th Career Victory. 12 away from 300. Mets Magic Number is down to lucky 7.
Posted By Steve Live From Shea Stadium.
Live! | MLB
Thursday, September 07, 2006 10:46:06 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
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NFL Picks
As the NFL Season is about to kick off, it is time to bring on offline tradition online. For the past several years, long-time friend and former co-worker Buffalo Steve and I pick the division winners, conference, and Super Bowl XLI champions. Without further ado, please find my picks below:
AFC East: Patriots
AFC Central: Steelers
AFC South: Colts
AFC West: Broncos
Wildcard: Dolphins, Bengals (if they stay out of the police blotter)
Dark Horse: Chargers, Chiefs
AFC Champion: Colts
NFC East: Cowboys
NFC North: Bears
NFC South: Panthers
NFC West: Seahawks
Wildcard: Giants, Buccaneers
Dark Horse: Eagles, Cardinals
NFC Champion: Seahawks
Super Bowl Champion: Colts
----
Local Team Outlook:
Giants: Improved with new stars like LaVar Arrington but the NFC East is the toughest division in the NFL. The Cowboys got better with T.O. but he may implode sometime during the season. The Eagles have an easier schedule this year as Donovan McNabb was injured and T.O. redefined "team cancer" to epidemic perportions last year. The Giants will finish 10-6.
Jets: New Coach Eric Mangini has his work cut out for him but the Jets will be playoff contenders by 2009 or 2010 if management gives him a chance. I expect the Jets to go 5-11 or better because of Mangini's Magic and toughness.
Bills: Since the Jets and Giants aren't real "New York" teams as the play in New Jersey and I am a Bills Believer, I must review the Bills. I unfortunately don't expect much from the Bills because owner Mr. Ralph Wilson's family can't afford the estate tax ala the late Dolphins owner Mr. Joe Robbie so he is preparing to sell and/or move the team to Los Angeles. Granted, this may seem far-fetched but even former Bills star Thurman Thomas was publicly critical of Mr. Wilson's personnel moves. As then Commissioner Paul Tagliabue went to announce his last pick at the NFL Draft on Saturday, April 29, 2006, the Tank stood up in Radio City Music Hall and asked him to keep the Bills in Buffalo. Literally, a cry for help but that isn't the first time I did that to further a cause I believe in. (Please don't confuse this with Mr. Wilson's fighting for small market teams but without much needed estate tax reform or Mr. Thomas Golisano buying the team as he did with the Buffalo Sabres, the Bills days in Buffalo are unfortunately numbered.) The Bills finish 6-10.
Go Bills! / Jets! / Giants!
Posted by The Tank in NY.
Braves Burial, Randy pitched dandy
As the song says after the Mets win at Shea, the Mets are "Takin Care of Business" and swept the Atlanta Braves today including a 4-1 victory over future Hall of Famer John Smoltz. Oliver Perez was very impressive in the second game 8-0 victory pitching a five hit complete game shutout. This all but mathematically de-thrones the Braves as the 14 time NL East Champions.
Next up, the LA Dodgers for a four game set at Shea in what could be a playoff preview. Let's hope the Mets destroy the Dodgers! I haven't forgiven the Dodgers for beating the Yankees in 1955 and for leaving Brooklyn after the 1957 season and both were before I was born. The Tank forgives little and forgets less.
Speaking of impressive pitching performances, Randy Johnson pitched a no-hitter into the seventh and only gave up one hit and eight strikeouts through seven innings at the Kansas City Royals. The Yankees won 8-3. (Had Randy completed the no-no, he would have matched the Florida Marlins rookie Anibal Sanchez who pitched one earlier in the evening.) Next up for the Yankees are the Baltimore Orioles starting on Friday for a four game wrap around weekend set.
Both the Mets and Yankees won two out of three in their respective series. Very impressive!
Posted by The Tank in NY.
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Monday, September 04, 2006
Is A-Rod breaking out of his slump?
A-Rod had two home runs, five RBIs, and a couple of curtain calls in the Yankees 10-1 victory Sunday over the Minnesota Twins at the Stadium. A-Rod now has nine consecutive seasons of 30 home runs and 100 RBIs.
Even Boston Bob, A-Rod's biggest critic, called me to congratulate A-Rod on his breakthrough. I really think that Steve, Tony Robbins, and I have been making a difference with A-Rod. If the Yankees win the World Series this year, I think the three of us should get a WS ring and a playoff share. 
On a more serious note, it was great for rookie Darrell Rasner get the win. Both rookies Rasner and Jeff Karstens have pitched great lately to let Mike Mussina get the proper rest. Mussina is scheduled to return on Tuesday at the suddenly surging Kansas City Royals who recently and thankfully swept the Boston Red Sox. Rasner and Karstens will hopefully pitch more in the Bronx in years to come.
Though the Mets lost Sunday, they took two out of three against the Houston Astros in the weekend series at Houston. Next up, the Atlanta Braves at Shea. The Braves are almost mathematically eliminated from winning the division but it would be nice for the Mets to knock them farther back in the division and wildcard races and to continue to show that they are the new boss in the NL East.
Posted by Tank in NY.
Saturday, September 02, 2006
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