 Monday, September 18, 2006
Jinxed by the Mets fan on the 7 train, Pour No Champagne in Pittsburgh or the Stadium
He jinxed us for sure.
Just like in '86, the Mets could not get it done on the road.
They are killing me. I've been waiting 18 years. :)
Posted by The Tank, edited by Steve in New York.
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Tom's original message (mega thanks to Steve to reposting after my friend's Mac Safari stripped out the text):
As the Tank was enroute to Shea for the Mets - Dodgers game on Saturday, September 9, he saw a fan on the 7 train writing "2006 NL East Champs" with a black Sharpie. Being very superstitious, I yelled out "No!!!!!" to no avail.
The Pirates played this weekend like Willie Stargell, Dave Parker, and the rest of the 1979 "We Are Family" World Champions. I guess their theme was "Pour No Champagne" in honor of the sponsor their ballpark, PNC. The Mets will hopefully clinch Monday night against the Marlins at Shea, touch wood.
I read a disturbing article on MLB.com unfortunately "reinforced the increasingly strong notion that the Mets no longer can handle left-handed pitching. They now have lost 14 of their last 19 games in which they have been opposed by a left-handed starter."
Let's hope the Mets turn it around the rest of the season and playoffs.
As for the Yankees, they split Saturday's day-night doubleheader and lost the Sunday doubleheader at the Stadium against the Red Sox. The Yankees number to clinch is 4.
Go Mets! / Yankees!
Tom
Saturday, September 16, 2006
Orange and Blue beats Orange and Blue
Early NFL Showdowns
Friday's Red Sox-Yankees game was rained out. The Mets unfortunately lost 5-3 at Pittsburgh and Pedro only pitched three innings and 68 pitches but both he and the Mets have the luxury of knocking the rust off. They will hopefully clinch Saturday as the Fighting Phillies held off a late bases loaded rally at Houston to win 4-3.
As a huge football fan, I would be remiss without mentioning some key matches. Unlike a single of the 162 regular MLB season games, each of the 16 NFL regular season literally counts 10 times as much. For instance, the Giants are 0-1 after losing to the Colts last Sunday night. It's odd to say that the Giants visit to the Eagles is a must win but it almost is as the Giants have a very difficult schedule and the NFC East is arguably the best division in the NFC. Prediction: Giants lose a close game at Philly.
As for the Jets, they travel to New England to play the Patriots. It is student, Eric Mangini, against teacher, Bill Belichick. The two used to be close but no hardly speak since Mangini took the Jets Head Coaching job. Prediction: As much as I want the Jets to beat the Patriots, the Patriots still have Tom Brady, Tedy Bruschi, and other key veterans. Patriots win a close game.
Speaking of the Patriots, the Bills had a lead on the Patriots last week but gave it away late in the game on a safety 19-17. It doesn't get much easier as they travel to South Beach to take on the Dolphins who lost the NFL opener to the Steelers 28-17. Prediction: The Dolphins win.
Posted by The Tank in NY.
Thursday, September 14, 2006
College Football Shifts Into Overdrive
What more can a college football fan ask for than seven games involving Top 25 opponents?!
While #11 Michigan at #2 Notre Dame gets much of the Establishment Media attention, does it get better than #6 LSU at #3 Auburn? The home teams should hold serve though Michigan hasn't won at South Bend since 1994 and is way overdue. Notre Dame should win but Michigan will put up a fight.
#17 Miami at #12 Louisville is a must win for Miami if it wants to get back into the BCS. Miami should win.
A game that many will overlook or not see at 3:30 p.m. Eastern is #15 Oklahoma at #18 Oregon. Oregon is a tough place to play but the Sooners should pull it out.
#24 Texas Tech should beat #20 TCU at home.
The 8 p.m. Eastern games are the icing on an unbelievable early season cake:
#4 USC has the edge over #19 Nebraska because one of the Cornhuskers former defensive backups (and now starter because of injury) shot his mouth this week. If USC wins, they should move up at least one spot, especially if #3 Auburn versus #6 LSU.
#7 Florida travels to Rocky Top #13 Tennessee. Buckle up, Florida wins a close one.
Posted by the Tank from College Football Heaven in NY.
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
A New King is about to be crowned
In keeping with last night's regal theme of the Japanese Baseball Emperor's return, the Atlanta Braves are no longer 14 time NL East Champions. The new King is most likely the Mets as their magic number is 2 who will hopefully clinch this weekend in Pittsburgh against the Pirates. (I know that it is almost certain but I am very superstitious and don't want to jinx the Mets.)
The Mets had another come from behind win, 7-4 in 11 innings, against the young and tough Florida Marlins team. It was also their 90th win of the season. As much as I love Willie Randolph as a former Yankee and current Mets manager, Joe Girardi (another former Yankee btw) is the NL Manager of the year as he brought back a vastly underfunded and young team back from 20 games under .500. Even though I am not Roman Catholic, I will name Joe my patent pending "Mother Teresa" Miracle Manager Award (MTMMA) for winning when despite low payrolls, inexperienced players, careless owners, poor morale, etc. The first MTMMA winner was former Tampa D-Rays manager Lou Pinella, also a former Yankee, btw.
Speaking of the Tampa D-Rays, the Yankees beat them 8-4. Derek Jeter extended his hitting streak to 22.
Praying for a Subway Series.
Post by The Tank in NY.
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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