 Friday, September 29, 2006
Winning Without Pedro
After Steve hit the "Panic Button" earlier this evening after Pedro's season ending injury which was announced during the game, the Tank had a brief OMG moment but settled down. The surprising part of the injury is it was the left calf, not the previously injured right calf.
Boston Bob reminded me of the Mets success since June without Pedro. The Mets winning formula is great offense, solid starters (other than Pedro), and one of the best bullpens in baseball. NLDS Game 1 Starter El Duque thankfully had a solid start with nine strikeouts and only earned run this evening and is one of the best post-season pitchers. Tom Glavine is a veteran with lots of playoff experience. Steve Trachsel isn't an ace but is one of the NL leaders in wins. John "Remember the Maine" is young but solid.
The WFAN announcers also discussed the Mets success since June without Pedro.
Steve then settled down after hitting the panic button and now thankfully feels better.
If the Mets are going to go far, they are going to have to rally like they did in June when Pedro went down. Pedro shouldn't be used as a crutch but a lightning rod to rally around.
Voting and Praying for Pedro and the Mets!
Posted by the Tank in NY.
Thursday, September 28, 2006
T.O. Needs A Medical Time Out
As reported in many outlets earlier today, Dallas Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens reportedly attempted suicide Tuesday evening in Dallas after overdosing on 35 pills. T.O. held a press conference Wednesday afternoon to deny this saying that it was an "allergic reaction". According to his publicist Kim Etheredge, "Terrell has 25 million reasons why he should be alive." This is in reference to his three year, $25 million contract with the Cowboys. It is not rational for someone to kill themselves but T.O. has exhibited irrational behavior over the years from various verbal altercations from San Francisco 49ers to not wanting to play for the Baltimore Ravens to redefining the term "Team Cancer" with the Philadelphia Eagles last season. Would T.O. try to kill himself? Probably not, but with T.O. you never know for certain. Only time will answer that question. Let's see if T.O. will play those very Eagles next Sunday, October 8.
Since the Mets have had a tough week, Steve is starting to hit the panic button after the loss at Atlanta and is unfortunately too depressed to blog tonight. Since the Tank has been through really down times over the years including hair loss and relationship issues, I advised him to practice yogic breathing (pranayama) as I have been doing for the last five years. Sometimes care givers like Steve and I overexert ourselves. For instance, Steve and I have been channeling the spirit of Tony Robbins to telepathically help A-Rod through his issues this season. I advised Steve to rest tonight and prepare for the NLDS next week.
Yes, as tough as we look on the outside, we can be fragile on the inside. I am normally a nervous superstitious wreck in October during baseball playoffs. Chin up Steve and T.O. Keep fighting and breathing properly! Ooomm. Namaste!
Posted by the Tank in NY.
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
The Saints Come Marching Home
"Good morning America How are you?
"Don't you know me I'm your native son,
"I'm the train they call the City of New Orleans..."
to quote ESPN's Chris Berman citing the great Arlo Guthrie song titled "The City of New Orleans" during the Monday Night Football as the NFL returned to New Orleans. New Orleans took a 20-3 halftime lead and went on to beat Michael Vick and the Falcons 23-3.
Like the Bills, the Saints are one of the possible teams to be moved to Los Angeles after their lease ends at the SuperDome in 2010 according to Yahoo Sports.
As much as the Tank actually likes LA, it is a college football town as people root for USC or UCLA. On Sunday, they watch their hometown teams as many of them are transplants from other parts of the country. If a team with a strong local and national fan base like the Raiders couldn't make it in LA during the 1980s when they were good, would the "LA Bills" (God forbid), "LA Saints" (double God forbid), or another team make it there?
The billion dollars that the NFL would fetch for an LA franchise doesn't mean as much football means in economically depressed areas like New Orleans and Buffalo which has yet to recover from the industry that left since the 1970s. Not only because of the jobs and money it brings to their respective areas, these people live for and need football in their lives as something to look forward to. Football is one of the Tank's Fundamentals of Life: Faith, Family, Fitness, Fun, Food, and Football (regardless of what it is called around the world: American, Australian, Canadian, Rugby, and Soccer).
Join the Tank in keeping the Saints in New Orleans not only for post-Katrina reconstruction but for generations to come.
Posted by The Tank whose heart is in the Bayou.
Monday, September 25, 2006
Weekend Sports Wrap
Football is kicking into gear and the Tank had a good weekend with his picks except the Jets winning at the Bills. The Giants didn't show up until the second half but it wasn't enough at Seattle.
Ohio State convincingly beat Penn State.
Notre Dame made an incredible comeback at Michigan State. They don't call it the Luck of the Irish for nothing.
Cal routed Arizona State.
Though the Tank didn't pick the Broncos-Patriots game, he was happy to see the much maligned Jake Plummer and the Broncos win 17-7. As formidable as Brady, Bruschi, and Bellichick are, the loss of Deion Branch, Adam Vinatieri, and others are too much for the Patriots to get back to the Super Bowl. Yes, the Patriots will win the relatively weak AFC East, but they have too many question marks.
Last and most importantly, I am looking forward to football returning to New Orleans Monday where the Saints host the Michael Vick and the Falcons. The Big Easy needs the moral and financial support. Go Reggie Bush and the Saints!
----
As for baseball, the Mets and Yankees both lost on Sunday. The only good part about it was that new 1B Gary Sheffield got more experience for a position he hasn't played in the pros. Granted, the plays didn't always go his way but he needs to known what to do in different situations. Sheffield made a great fielding play on Jeter's errant throw though the running was safe. Let's hope Mike Mussina's hand gets better.
As much as I dislike the Dodgers, Nomar Garciaparra had an incredible grand slam walk off home run off the Pirates.
Houston impressively swept the Cardinals to close within 3.5 games. I don't want Houston to make the playoffs because I am scared of their pitching but they are going make the Cardinals work to make the playoffs. That said, I hope the Cardinals make it because Looper is their closer and I hope the Mets can "reward" him for the games he blew last year. It made you wish for Armando Benitez.
Posted by The Tank in NY.
Saturday, September 23, 2006
Remember the Maine
"Remember the Maine!" was a rallying cry in the Spanish-American War of 1898. John Maine takes the mound for the Mets.
Linda laughs when I put on the I Love NY Mets bucket hat from the give away coming into Shea. I promptly put my regular Mets hat back on.
Bombero es la palabra del dia. Fireman is (Professor Reyes') Word of the Day.
No hitter through three on what should have been a strikeout with two outs became a double, then WP to third, a HBP, and walk to load the bases with Brian Schneider coming to bat. Schneider was walked to score the first run. Nook Logan flies out to Reyes in left to thankfully end the inning.
David Wright flies out and the Mets don't score as the Tank went to the restroom. The superstition didn't work.
Bases loaded and 3-2 in the fifth as Kearns is walked so the Nats lead 2-0. Vidro singled in two runs but the runner was tagged out by DW at third.
Linda nor I could identify the song in the Mets video. No, it wasn't an 80s song or "Meet the Mets".
Steve's favorite acquisition Shawn Green doubles to center. Lastings Milledge singles Green in, 4-1. Meeting at the mound. Woodward singles to left as Milledge advances to third and Woodward to second. Valentin pinch hits for Maine but is called out on an inside pitch. Steve's MVP singles Milledge home, 4-2. Woodward to third. Chavez singles Woodward home so 4-3. LoDuca flies out to right-center. Double steal on the 2-1 count to DW who hits a bomb to left to give the Mets a 6-4 lead.
Franco and Green single while Linda and I discuss the best James Bond. We agree on Sean Connery is the best James Bond but looking forward to Daniel Craig as the next James Bond. Milledge flies out to left to end the fifth. Mets lead 6-4.
In the top of the seventh, a foul ball lands a couple of sections over from Linda and me. She's like you almost caught it. Yeah, almost. One of these days, years, or lifetimes. 
Soriano hits a solo shot with one out in the seven to close the game to 6-5.
Get up and stretch! The Mets lead 6-5.
DW hit an infield single to open the 8th. Franco sacrifices him to second. The Nats almost turn two to end the inning but the ball is dropped on the transfer. First and third and Woodward single home a run, 7-5. Michael Tucker pinch hits for Mota. Tucker is walked to load the bases for Profesor Reyes. Reyes doubles to center to score two runs, 9-5. Chavez grounds out to end the inning.
Aaron Heilman pitches to open the eighth.
Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline" is the XM Satellite Radio Eighth inning song. This song helped propel the Tank into the "Antarctica Idol" finals in March 2005.
As I go to the rest room, Lo Duca hits a home run, 10-5. DW gets to third after a collision in right field. In light of Mike Cameron's and Carlos Beltran's collision last season, the Mets rightfully don't replay the collision. Out comes the wheeled strecher for tough luck injured prone 1B Nick Johnson whose right leg is immobilized. Austin Kearns was also involved in the collision and is substituted.
Franco hits a ground rule double to drive home DW, 11-5. Franco advances to third after the SS Zimmerman supposedly made the catch in the stands. Milledge doubles home Franco, 12-5.
#1 Anderson Hernandez comes to the plate with a drunk guy chanting "MVP" even though he is hitting .143.
45,247 is the paid attendance.
Billy Wagner comes the game to get some work but no "Enter Sandman". Maybe because it isn't a save situation. A young boy sitting with his parents across the aisle from me sees my Blackberry and I try to explain mobile e-mail to him.
Woodward makes a nice play to keep the runner at second who eventually scores on the force, 12-6. Soriano singles to center with two outs. Castro singles to center. Lombard is up with runners at first and third and strikes out.
Bachman Turner Overdrive's "Takin' Care of Business" blares on the speakers as the Mets win 12-6. Professor Reyes and DW were the players of the game because they each had three RBIs and hits. Maine gets the win.
Posted by The Tank live from Shea.
I don't Care if the Mets Win the World Series
The Mets
have been so exciting to watch, Reyes get a single, steal second, advance on a
FC to third and get home somehow, that I don't care if they win the World
Series. They are the most exciting team in baseball and so much fun to watch. I
just hope that they keep up the excitement.
That
said, I will be rooting and hoping all the way for a WS victory. If the Mets do
make the series, I am pretty sure that the Mets will face the Yankees. Rematch
of 2000. The Yanks will be favorites because they have that insane lineup and
the starting pitching is about the same. I actually think that the Mets have a
slight edge due to superior middle relief. With Mo still a little iffy and
Wagner lights out the only distinction at this point is the middle relief. We'll
see.
Remember
if the Mets win the World Series my picks for
World
Series MVP: Jose Reyes
NLCS MVP:
Carlos Beltran
Posted by
Steve in New York.
Rest for some, Rehabbing for others. Weekend Football Preview
As the Yankees and Mets have now thankfully clinched, it is now time to rest key players like Jason Giambi and rehabiliate others like Gary Sheffield who played for Giambi at first base and Mariano Rivera who got the save. Though Pedro lost last night, he pitched four great innings before fatigueing in the fifth and is getting stronger as he only pitched three innings in Pittsburgh last week. Steve's, my, and I am sure other people's "Prayers for Pedro" helped.
The Jets travel to Buffalo for a key intra-division matchup. The Bills should win a close game.
The Giants travel to Seattle. Seattle is a tough place to play and the Giants won't win there.
Though college doesn't have as many great games as last weeke, please note the following fearless predictions:
Ohio State beats Penn State.
Notre Dame wins at Michigan State.
California beats Arizona State.
Posted by The Tank in NY.
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Subway Series Here We Come!
The Yanks cliched the AL East yesterday and the post says it all. Nine in a row is quite impressive. Since divisional play started in 1969, the NL and AL East has never been dominated by both New York teams. Until now. Awesome!
Hopefully the Mets and Yanks will meet in the Fall Classic and have the battle of the two best shortstops in the league. (The Mets clearly have the better third baseman. :))
Posted by Steve in New York.
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
No longer a mojito virgin, Why women are better at 35 than 18.
While at the Harvest in the Square Tuesday evening, the Tank hung out with new and old friends.
As the heaviest lightweight drinker going, The Tank was already slurring his words by the time Kathleen got there about 30 minutes late from work. A brief transcript appears below:
Kathleen: "You're drunk aren't you?"
Tank: "Yup." No use in lying after ten or so shot glasses of wine and Brooklyn Brewery Oktoberfest Beer. (On the back of the Brooklyn Brewery's beer coasters was the fact that Brooklyn Brewery is the first NYC company to switch to 100% wind generated electricity thanks to NewWind Energy. Though the Tank has a more than a few drinks in him, can he get windmills going on his 51.78 acres Upstate which is not far from a current planned wind farm in Jordanville? What are the zoning requirements? Anything is worth a shot to improve the environment and get America away from OPEC supplied oil. Fingers crossed as the Tank investigates.)
Talk about a cool gig, Steve is on the board of John's startup Internet Wine Database company. The reason I drank so much is that Steve and I would wait until John sampled the wine. If he liked it (and took their business card), Steve and I knew it was something we should try. If you don't have a chance to party with John because he is the walking wine version of Internet Movie Database, please check out his Internet Wine Database which is in the process of construction so please keep checking back.
If you're going to marathon "train" with Linda, Steve, and Kathleen, you better be ready to "train". After The Tank already had too much to eat and drink, we had mojitos at a nearby bar courtesy of "White Fedora Mike". The Tank has heard about mojitos, especially in the recent hit movie "Miami Vice", so it was worth a shot.
Speaking of the NYC Marathon, Lance Armstrong is training for it. We then started making predictions about how we thought Lance would do. Steve's goal is to finish two hours or less behind Lance Armstrong. Our predictions for Lance's finish are as follows in hours:minutes:
John: 2:45
Mike: 3:10
Steve: 2:39
Kathleen: 2:32.30
Linda: 3:00
Tank: 2:40
The conversation then staggered wildly from "Pushing Tin" with John Cusack, Billy Bob Thornton, and Angelina Jolie to (b) John's sales trip in a Winnebago from Mansfeld, Ohio, to Wrigley Field, and back to movies (c) "Monster's Ball".
Conclusion of this inebriated conversation: John and I decreed a new Miller Lite Man Law that women are better at 35 than 18. More details when Steve and I get the premium content part of the website going. Until then, please trust us.
Mega thanks to Linda for organizing this and inviting me!
Go Mets! / Yankees! / The Gang!
Posted by The Tank in Union Square, Manhattan.
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Finally!
18 years +3 days. The cover of the NY Post says it all. Now its the Yanks turn. Oddly enough it was three Yankees fans to text me first when the Mets won: Jack, Mike and The Tank.
Posted by Steve in Mets Heaven.
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