 Friday, October 20, 2006
2006 Baseball Memories
The Mets Thursday night's Game 7 loss at Shea felt like the sinking sick feeling when Ken Griffey, Jr., hit the home run in the Kingdome as the Mariners beat the Yankees in 1995. It was Donnie Baseball's last game as a player. I think but hope it isn't Cliff Floyd's last game with the Mets because of different injuries.
Changes will be made as both the Yankees and Mets need to get more pitching. The Mets have the edge as Perez and Maine upped their stock in spring training. What about Pelfrey and other prospects? As for the Yankees, I would like to see Karstens and Rasner get a shot in spring training and stop babying Phillip Hughes and let him pitch in the majors. Let's see who wins the Barry Zito and other free agent sweepstakes. Those are questions will be answered as hot stove season season heats up.
As for 2006, it ended tragically but I had some great times hanging out with friends at the Stadium, Shea, Keystone Park (Brooklyn Cyclones), and Richmond County Stadium (Staten Island Yankees). If you happened to join me for a game or more this season, I greatly appreciate the company and hope to do it again next year. As I often say, a bad day at the ballpark (except Game 7 of the NLCS) is better than a good day at work.
My manager John busted my chops today about the Mets losing last night. He asked if I was going to get a Mets full season ticket plan in 2007 and I replied that I would do so if he gave me a raise and different work hours. In the meantime, I'll renew my Yankee and Met partial ticket plans for 2007. 
Keep the faith! Go Yankees! Go Mets!
Posted by the Tank dreaming of and needing Subway Series Closure in 2007 in NY.
Thursday, October 19, 2006
NLCS Game 7 Live from Shea
In the words of Admiral John Stockdale in the 1992 Vice Presidential
debate, "Where am I? Why am I here?" My road here is longer and
stranger than the Mets and the answers are as follows:
After drinking lucky wheat grass shots in Union Square enroute to Game
1 of the NLDS two weeks ago (which seems like an eternity ago), I gave
Steve the tickets to Game 7 since I was running low on vacation days at
work and to ensure SteveAndTheTank.com representation at the game.
Due to events beyond my control, I asked Bernard to switch shifts with
me. They are as follows: (1) Mets forced a Game 7 (I thought they
would win in 6 thus the NLCS would have ended Wednesday evening); (2) Steve's
girlfriend Kathleen who can not make it as she is studying for the CFA;
(3) Eric thankfully made it to work Wednesday night -- I wasn't sure if
he was going there since he was working on a restore on Tuesday and only
slept 5.5 hours in the last 48 hours. If he didn't make it in, I would have
had to cover until about 4 or 5 a.m. Thursday morning; and (4) most
importantly, Steve asked me to be with him on Suicide Watch if the Mets
lose God forbid as other family members can not be there to save him
from jumping off the Upper Deck. (His sister Caroline has to baby-sit
his niece and nephew and his Dad is not a big baseball fan as is my
Dad, btw.). If just one of the aforementioned variables was different, I
wouldn't be able to go.
Before Steve mentioned being on Suicide Watch, I mentioned that he
should go with Linda as I am low on vacation days but rethought it as I
was afraid that she may try to take her life too from the Upper Deck if
the Mets lost God forbid. Mets coffins are not yet available. Therefore, I must go as I can't risk losing two of my closest friends and the only current members of TAARC. After going to Tony Robbins seminars over the past few years, several colleagues thought I joined a cult. I didn't join a cult but I decided to start my own to compliment their wisdom as well as make a few bucks. TAARC stands for The Tank's Anti-Aging Running Cult. For a small portion of your personal wealth, you too can join TAARC.
Game 7 also brings out the extra special super-duper superstition in
me. You say all the prayers, eat all the vitamins, use all the lucky
rabbits feet, and any other superstition you can think of because Game 7 is "Do or Die". Many thanks to Linda for bringing the uniform superstition
link to Steve's and my attention. Let's hope one or more of the Cardinals has
a uniform conflict. Heck, I don't care if the Cardinals have a "wardrobe
malfunction" as long as the Mets win.
Anyway, after working through all these personal and coverage issues,
welcome to Game 7 of the NLCS live from Shea. Play Ball!
Steve and I rejoin some our Game 1 NLDS brethren in the Upper Deck. I am
running late from work while Steve studied for his MBA exam tomorrow.
Baseball is life but you have to pay the bills to.
Game time temperature is 67 degrees. Tonight's starter Perez was a
throw in player in the trade deadline move from Pittsburgh. Eckstein
flies out. Wilson strikes out. Pujols to bat and pops a ball up. Delgado
drops it and Pujols advances to second. Not a good omen! Valentin
makes a catch to end the inning. Whew! Cardinals 0 - Mets 0.
Jose Reyes grounds out to Eckstein. Lo Duca grounded out. Beltran
singled, Delgado walked, and DW singled him home. Green lined out.
Edmonds singled to open the second. Rolen pops up to center. Molina
gets in and 0-2 count but singles to center after Steve and I wave the
rally towels. Edmonds advances to third when Chavez couldn't throw the
ball to third. Belliard throws the bat at the ball that unfortunately
scores Edmonds to tie the game. Perez strikes out Suppan. Cardinals 1
- Mets 1.
Valentin pops up and Belliard and the right fielder collide. Chavez
grounds out to Pujols. Can Perez help his own case? Nope but hits it
hard to left. Still 1-1 after 2.
Eckstein doubles to left. To the cheers of "Mookie's not your father",
Preston Wilson (really his step son) strikes out. Pujols is
intentionally walked and wisely so. Encarnacion is in an 0-2 count. Rally flags awaving and Encarnacion grounds out into a 5-4-3 double play as Steve
requested.
"Swing batter swing" and Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run" blare on the
speakers in between innings. Springsteen could put on an entire full length concert during the long TV commercials.
Jose flies out and Lo Duca grounds out to third. Beltran flies out to
left. Still 1-1 at the end of three.
"Meet the Mets" plays in between innings.
Edmonds flies out to left. Rolen pops up to DW in foul territory on a
98 mph fastball. Molina is up and there is a "Cow-Bell Man" sighting.
Molina flies out to right. He must have sublimilally surrendered to
the thousands of white flags in the stands. Still 1-1 going into the
bottom of the fourth. You know what that means -- time to go to the
restroom.
Delgado works out a walk. DW up with no one out. Delgado out at
second on DW the force out. Green is out. Valentin is HBP. Chavez lines
out to left.
Rain drops start to fall in between innings.
Belliard singles to left past Jose. Suppan sacrifice bunts him to
second. Eckstein is HBP. The Met bullpen begins to warm. "Mookie's not
your daddy" cheer starts as Preston Wilson steps to the plate and
strikes out on three pitches. Pujols comes up with two outs while the fan to
my left and I say walk Pujols while Steve says pitch to him. Steve is
right as Pujols pops up to Jose in short left field.
Demons need to be purged as tonight is Steve's tenth wedding
anniversary and the seventh anniversary of former NY choke artist Kenny Rogers
walk with the bases loaded for the Mets against the Braves.
In a surprising move, Perez up to hit. We all thought Willie would
have pinched hit for him. Perez hits a shot to left field. Reyes flies
out center. The fan to my left offers his 21 year old sister to Lo Duca
if he gets a hit. Steve nor The Tank condone this; we are journalists.
The center and left fielders collide on Lo Duca's fly out to left.
Still tied going into the top of the 6th.
The only justification for keeping in Perez is a match-up or Willie
thinks it is going to extra innings. Bradford warms up while Encarnacion
grounds out to DW-Delgado. Edmonds comes up as the rain slows down a
bit and grows Edmonds should have been out on 2-2 but works out a
walk. Willie comes to buy time and strategize. Rolen hits a shot that
should have been a home run but Chavez catches it where the Tank practiced
on Saturday, July 29, after the Run to Home Plate. Chavez throws to
Valentin who throws to Delgado to get out Rolen. Double play instead of a
home run! Steve and our friends feels that the Mets can't lose. It was
better than the two runners out on Game 1 of the NLDS. If the Mets
lose God forbid, Steve will kill himself regardless of what I do to
prevent him.
The play was shown several times in between innings. Still 1-1 going
into the bottom of the 6th.
Beltran grounds out to Suppan. Delgado works a 3-1 count after a high
pitch and bouncing ball. Delgado walks on 3-2. DW is up and swings on
an 82 mph slider. Suppan is up to 77 pitches. Steve wants his arm to
fall off. On a routine ground ball to third, Rolen throws the ball
away. The stands are shaking as Delgado advances to third and DW to
second. Green is intentionally walked to load the bases. Meeting at the
mound while the screen with the crazy guy in the raincoat beckons
everyoine to get out of their seats. "Let's Go Mets!" the crowd cries out as
the stands still shake. This is only the second time in Steve's 1,000
plus times at Shea that the stands shake -- the first was a Rolling
Stones concert. Steve reveals his month-long premonition that Valentin
will be a post-season hero. On a 1-2 count, time is called. Steve and I
demand a balk Valentin strikes out which is better than a A-Rod
quadruple play. Steve reminds me that there are no hits as Chavez comes up to
a hero's welcome. Chavez swings on the first pitch and flies out to
center to end the inning. Still 1-1 going into the 7th. I am going on
the record again that the Mets, Yankees, and any other extreme weather
team need a retractable roof like the Seattle (rain) Mariners.
Bradford comes in the top of the seventh to face Molina. After several
foul balls, Molina thankfully flies out to left. No one warms in the
Cardinals bullpen while Belliard grounds out to Valentin. Suppan almost
beats out a ground out to Reyes.
"God Bless America", "Take Me Out to the Ballgame", and "Lazy Mary" are
the soundtrack to the 7th inning. Steve goes to the restroom but
doesn't stay long enough.
The earliest I have gone to the rally cap. The rally horn goes off a few sectionsover. Tucker pinch hits for Perez as Suppan gets to 90 pitches as Steve hopes.
Tucker hits the ball off his foot and the trainer comes out. An
elderly Cardinals fan is razzed. Steve reminds me to vote absentee while he
will be in Barcelona on business on Election Day. Tucker flies out to
center. Reyes grounds out to first while a fan in front of us wears a
real helmet -- not a regular hat. Maybe he is afraid of getting hit by
a beer bottle. Lo Duca grounds out to Eckstein to end the 7th. Still
1-1 going into the 8th.
Heilman to face Eckstein to start the 8th. Eckstein grounds out to
Delgado. Five outs left. Scott Spiezio is pinch hitting for Preston
Wilson, Mookie's not real son. Spiezio and his obnoxious Cardinal Red
goatee strike out. Pujols is up and now Steve wants to walk him. A little
Met fan behind us says throw it down the middle. After a near heart
attack, the Tank educates and corrects the young lad. Pujols walks on
the unintentionally intentionally walk. Encarnacion is up and thankfully
strikes out.
Time to go to restroom after "Sweet Caroline" blares out as the XM
Satellite Radio 8th Inning Song.
Beltran walks. La Russa goes to the bullpen to pull Suppan and brings
in Flores. DW is up and another fan from my row recognizes near the ATM and
tells me to go back to the restroom. They are learning the Restroom
Superstition.
The Tank walks out to the stands as Delgado is calling out on strikes.
DW is up. The ump is making questionable strike calls. DW strikes
out. Green makes a great cut on the first pitch but grounds out to
Pujols. Still 1-1 at the end of 8.
Steve and I agree NOT to bring out Wagner in the 9th.
Heilman returns and strikes out Edmonds. Rolen singles past Reyes to
left. Molina homers to left field. A freaking .216 career hitter. The kid behind us starts to cry. Shea is otherwise like a morgue. Belliard grounds out to Reyes. John Rodriguez comes in to pinch hit. The guy behind us starts to leave but Steve and the Tank and his crying son convince him to stay. Steve makes the Titanic reference on those who passed on the dessert tray.
Rodriguez grounds out to Delgado to Heilman. Cardinals 3 - Mets 1.
The fan to my left notes that it will either be a historic comeback or
the first Game 7 loss at home.
Twisted Sister's "We're not going to take it" blares over the speakers.
Wainwright comes in to face Valentin. As we see fans stream out past
right field, Steve references the Jets miracle comeback against the
Dolphins on Monday Night in 2000. "Oh, yea of little faith!" As the Tank
asks for a "bloop and a blast", Valentin hits a Texas league single to
right center. Chavez is up as the rain comes down and hits to left.
The stands shake again as Cliff Floyd comes to the plate. Swing and a
big miss. High for ball one. Called strike two. Ball two and Molina
throws to first and Chavez gets back in time. Fouled back. Floyd is
called out on strikes. Reyes lines out to center. Lo Duca needs to
"zone and drive" a pitch. He works a 3-1 count with two out and two on.
He walks. Beltran comes up with the bases loaded and the Crazy Guy in a
Raincoat from "Network" tells everyone to get up. Two strikes on
Beltran and he strikes out looking. Final Score: Cardinals 3 - Mets 1.
Posted by a depressed but thankfully not suicidal Steve and The Tank
reporting live from Game 7 of the NLCS at Shea.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
NLCS Game 6 live from Shea
Steve's sister Caroline was able to get four great tickets for her kids, Matthew and Allison, and Steve to NLCS Game 6 at Shea. Before Steve sold food at Shea, Caroline worked there and helped Steve get his job. They have a total of 17 years experience working at Shea. Though Caroline is a Yankees fan, she is a big Willie Randolph fan. Matthew and Allison are Mets fans as is Steve. Caroline has signs made up at work: "Lets Go Mets" for Allison and a cool David Wright sign for Matthew. Tickets were 15 rows behind David Wright.
It is a very warm autumn night of 69 degrees at Shea. With one out in the first, Chavez made mistake in not throwing to second to either get Pujols on a tight hamstring or to keep him at first. Instead, Chavez threw to third. Maine comes through to strike out Edmonds. Wow! Encarncion HBP. Rolen thankfully flew out with the bases loaded.
As the Mets were coming up, I text messaged Steve and asked him to hold up our "Reyes 4 UN Secretary General" sign. As Jose went up to bat, my MLB.com radio died. This was a good sign, a harbinger of past Yankee and Met rallies. To clinch the rally, I went to the restroom and Jose hit a home run. (For the uninitiated, I am very superstitious. Whenever I have watched sporting events at home and then go to get something to eat or go to the restroom, my team scores. This has worked for me at Shea, Yankee Stadium, Wrigley Field, and Fenway Park.) Jose's home run is also retribution for him NOT being named UN Secretary General as Steve and I believe he will do a better job of achieving world peace than the scandal plagued Kofi Annan. Mr. Ban Ki-moon of Korea is the Secretary General designate who better call on Jose if needed. Mets lead 1-0 after the first inning.
The place goes wild! We can feel game 7!
To get a better view of the field, Steve put Matthew on his shoulders and he held our sign as well as the David Wright sign. Allison sees her teacher from school. During the Kiss Cam on the big screen, The Donald was at the game with his Mom.
In the bottom of the fourth, Beltran singles, Delgado flies out. David Wright singles. Shawn Green singles in Beltran. The Mets take a 2-0 lead.
Maine gets Pujols to strike out to end the top of the fifth. Three up, three down. Remember the Maine! Maine grounds out to start the bottom of the fifth. Jose singles and Lo Duca advances him to second on a ground out but Beltran grounds out to Eckstein to end the inning. Mets still thankfully lead 2-0.
A foul ball lands four seats away from Steve. Our NLDS foul ball karma is coming back to us. Edmonds walks and Encarnacion flies out. Willie takes no chances and brings in Chad Bradford. Maine leaves with a 2-0 lead after 98 pitches, 2 hits, and 5.1 innings. Will the Mets bullpen be able to get the last 11 outs? With Edmonds running, Rolen grounds out to Reyes to Valentin to Delgado. Out of danger after the top of the sixth, the Mets still lead 2-0.
In the top of the seventh, Belliard singles but Molina flies out. Bradford is done after an inning. Mota is in. The Mets turns another double-play as Duncan grounds out.
In bottom of the seventh, Looper is in to face the Mets. (Let's hope he reverts to his old form.) Valentin grounds out and Chavez flies out. Tucker pinch hits for Mota and singles. While Jose Reyes is at bat, Tucker steals second. Reyes gets aboard with his fourth base hit to Eckstein. Eckstein saves a run while Tucker advances to third. While Lo Duca is at bat, Jose steals his second base of the night. Lo Duca hits a ball to center field as the Mets take a 4-0 lead. Looper thankfully comes through again. Yeah! La Russa has to go to the bullpen and brings in Tyler Johnson.
The kids have to leave for an 11:15pm train back to Long Island in the top of the 8th. They leave with a secure 4 run lead. Allison has a science test. Steve has an MBA mid-term on Friday and Game 7 tickets. He decides the Mets are more important than his exam and stays. He meets two 15 year old super-METS fans: Zach Herenstein and Daniel Tuchman. They listen as Steve tells about his emotions watching Game 6 in 1986 (they were not born yet), his job at Shea (they want to work there now), and working the 1988 playoffs at Shea. Daniel's birthday is tomorrow (Game 7) and has tickets. All sounds like good luck! Zach and Daniel promise to become the youngest readers of Steve & The Tank.
Richard and Kathleen call to tell Steve they saw him on TV. Not much until the top of the 9th (I had some work issues to resolve). Zach hates Billy Wagner, Steve defends the Sandman. Two runs score after Encarnacion singles, Rolen doubles, Belliard grounds out, Molina flies out, and Taguchi doubles and the Cardinals cut the lead to 4-2. However, David Eckstein playing with a hurt shoulder thankfully grounds out to end the game. The Mets thankfully win 4-2. Game 7 here we come. Let's Go Mets!
Posted by The Tank with Steve reporting live from Shea.
NLCS Game 5; A-Rod and Lou Pinella to be reunited?
Linda was right. The Mets lost some of their offensive momentum after last night's rainout. I went with the odds and would have rather had Glavine on regular four days rest instead of his losing record on three days rest. Glavine lost control in the fourth and the Mets didn't convert key opportunities early in the game and unfortunately lost critical Game 5 4-2. While working on a printing issue on 29, I heard someone cheer and I thought the Mets had done something good but it was Shawn cheering for the Cardinals who had then tied the game at 2. I can't hate Shawn as he referred me to radio telecasts on MLB.com a couple of seasons ago which helped me get through some tough times. He is also a Raiders fan so I kind of feel bad for him during this chaotic season in Oakland.
The Mets now have to win both Games 6 and 7 at Shea to advance to the World Series. Therefore, the Tank's prediction of the Mets in 6 was wrong. However, what has gone right this post-season? The Yankees and Mets both lost momentum in critical rainouts. Former Yankee choke artists Kenny Rogers and Jeff Weaver have pitched well in the post-season. Chris Carpenter pitched poorly in his first outing at Shea (which I hope he repeats again Wednesday evening but yet again not likely.) Momentum is usually key but it hasn't necessarily carried over from one game to the next as the opposing team has won the next game except from Game 2 to 3. I have a better chance of winning the Lottery.
Brooklyn Pete asked me if I have Game 7 tickets but he won't get them because he hasn't given me the number of his lady friend at Fox Sports. (Come on, bro, you're already happily married. Please spread the wealth -- many thanks in advance.) Moreover, I already gave the tickets to Steve. Anyway, I hope there is a Game 7 but no use in getting too revved up too soon.
Tuesday also marked the announcement of Lou Pinella as the Cubs new manager. Linda's nephew thinks A-Rod is going to the Cubs and I hope he is right. There were talks between the Yankees and the Cubs to trade A-Rod to the Cubs before July's trade deadline. As long as the Yankees get some of the Cubs pitching (Zambrano, Prior, or even possibly Wood on the DL), it works for me. I like A-Rod but he and Joe can't co-exist after A-Rod June YES interview comparing Lou Pinella to an "angel" and then Joe Torre's comments in the Sports Illustrated article about A-Rod twirling his wedding ring around his finger. I agree with Steve that he will "hit 60 Home runs and do nothing productive". I actually hope that A-Rod hits 100 home-runs and breaks the home-run record so we can forget about "Steroid Boy" Barry Bonds the sooner the better. I can live with that but I can't cope another extra chaotic season in the Bronx Zoo. Working the Mets and Yankees Crisis Hotlines over the past few weeks has been draining as I try to get some rest for the upcoming NYC Marathon.
A-Rod going to the Cubs will also indirectly help the Mets as the stronger the Cubs are, the worse off the Cardinals, Astros, and rest of the NL Central will be as Sweet Lou will make the Cubs better as he has done with every other team he has been. However, as good as Sweet Lou is as my first winner of the "Mother Teresa Miracle Manager Award" with the D-Rays a few seasons ago, I don't see him taking the Cubs to the World Series anytime soon. If Rangers fans made Mark Messier the "Messiah" after winning a Stanley Cup for the first time in 54 years, what will Cubs fans do if Lou Pinella wins a World Series for the first time in almost 100 years? Sweet Lou won't have to wait to die to become a saint as he will be immediately beatified by Cubs fans of all faiths.
Steve reminded me that Tuesday night was the seventh anniversary of Robin Ventura's "Grand Slam Single". Indentured servants often received their feedback on seven years and ONE DAY according to an old high school textbook so let's hope Wednesday night frees the Mets up a little magic. Granted, this is a medieval tradition but I am keeping it real "Old School".
Posted by The Tank "Keeping the Faith" for the Mets in NY.
Monday, October 16, 2006
Jello Wrestling, Ariana Huffington, The Departed, The Mets, Staten Island Half Marathon, and the New York Times Great Read in the Park (The Tank's Six Degrees of Separation)
The items in the subject may not appear to be related but they do in The Tank's Six Degrees of Separation. While preparing for the Staten Island Half Marathon, the Tank relaxed and read an article about fellow blogger albeit political (1) Arianna Huffington in " New York Press". In that same issue of NYP, there was an ad for the jello wrestling. Being the investigative journalist that I am, I flagged the ad and put it on my To Do List. But, first, Sunday started early as the Tank braved the winds of the (2) Staten Island Half Marathon wearing a ski mask. At Mile 8, Fred's Team Coach Jeff Rochford ran up and asked me "Do you think we're in Antarctica?". It was good catching up for a few minutes as we were running along. My hamstring was tight but I thankfully finished, touch wood. Most importantly, a big mega thanks to everyone for helping me reach my NYC Marathon fundraising goal for cancer research at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. If you wish to donate, please click on the following link -- many thanks in advance. Next stop, the ferry ride back to the gym in the City for a much needed shower. Though I was late for Church services, I stopped by coffee hour and said hi to some friends. God forgive me but if I was as fast as the Kenyans, I would have made it but didn't. (3) Next stop, the New York Times Great Read in the Park. In Bryant Park, I sought out maverick real estate author Frank McKinney to congratulate him in person for finishing the Badwater 135, the toughest running race in the world. Unfortunately, his autograph session finished and he was off to another event in Florida. Darn it! (4) There is a great deal of buzz around " The Departed" and the Tank had to see it. Jack Nicholson, Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen, and Alec Baldwin gave great performances. Vera Farmgia can be my psychiatrist any day of the week; I have lots of issues and will require years if not decades of therapy. "The Departed just joined " Talladega Nights" as a Tank Movie of the Year (TMY) nominee. I won't ruin the plot as this entry is long enough -- just see the movie, you'll love it. In the best traditions another Will Ferrell classic " Old School", the Tank finds (5) jello wrestling in the City live from Arlene's Grocery on 95 Stanton Street in Manhattan's Lower East Side. The Amateur Female Jello Wrestling advertisment declares "Join Our Feminist Fight Club!" Is this the new stage of feminism? What do feminist leaders like Gloria Steinem and Camille Paglia think of jello wrestling? These are questions for another day. The most important question of the moment is if Foxy Red will be able to reclaim her Amateur Female Jello Wrestling crown after taking some time off.
As there were many female wrestlers, I'll use lots of names in the running commentary. I have been known by several nicknames, characters, and personalities but the Headmaster and his crew take the whole backery. The Headmaster of Our Lady of Perpetual Charity Academy is also known the Death Star Repairman. In wrestling speak, he is great on the microphone. His main site is DoomMaidens.com featuring Female Action Heroes and Wrestlers. The Headmaster's girlfriend is Jolie Voltaire (AKA the Gladiatrix) who was unfortunately nursing a back injury from a film shoot and couldn't wrestle. The Dread Pirate Arabella is also known as Jenny Rancid as well as other characters. The Virgin Scary is as known as Kim Fu Yu.
Please find the following list of matches soon to be broadcast live on HDNet Channel on Time Warner Cable. Without further ado, let's get ready to rumble!
I think Foxy Red beat Little Red in the first match. I worked my way to ringside after the first few matches as it was crowded.
The mustached Butch Cleavage defeated by the Italian Princess of Power. Pythagoras defeats the Dread Pirate Arabella. Pusilalai defeated by the Falcon. Managed by the Headmaster who talks like "Mouth of the South" Jimmy Hart and Leaping Lanny Poffo and looks like "Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBaise, the Virgin Scary calls the Dread Pirate Arabella a "lesbian". The Dread Pirate Arabella defeats the Virgin Scary. After her loss, the Headmaster spanks the Virgin Scary three times with a ruler. Stella defeats the newbie Jungle Kitten. "Not a good night for the cats" as Nick or the other play-by-play commentator stated. Delta Delta Delta Debbie defeats Butch Cleavage. Delta Delta Delta Debbie thanks all her sorority sisters except the one who stole her boyfriend. The Italian Princess of Power beats the Falcon to take her second match. Cat Fight: Pusilai versus the Jungle Kitten. Jungle Kitten wins by a pin fall to even her record at one match each. After a brief intermission, the lady wrestlers are back. During the intermission, the Tank went to the bodega next door to check on the (6) Mets score as well received updates from Steve and checked on my Crackberry. The Mets win 12-5 to tie the NLCS at two games each. Let's Go Mets! Little Red is pulling Charity's hair. Back and forth we go. Hip tosses, small package (legit wrestling move), jello throwing, reverses, and even breast grabbing ("titty twisters" by Little Red according to Charity.) Pythagoras, newly minted member of the Our Lady of Perpetual Charity Academy wrestlers managed by the Headmaster, wrestles against Cherry Bomb. Cherry Bomb wants a kiss from her opponent. Pythagoras gives out a great math (Pi, Cosine, etc.) sign cheer before the match. Cherry Bomb wins. Foxy Red versus the Italian Princess of Power. Dana Sterling, the founder and referee of the Amateur Female Jello Wrestling, asks the Tank for the time of day (night) literally to keep track of the matches. "I am not only a reporter, I am a time keeper." Foxy Red wins by pin fall. After spanks to Butch Cleavage (who likes it), Delta Delta Delta Debbie pulls off Butch Cleavage's mustache and then pins her. The Tank and Jungle Kitten high five before the match against Dana. The Jungle Kitten wins and they kiss after the match. Cherry Bomb rolls into the ring and takes down Virgin Scary. Virgin Scary taps out and they make out in ring. Cherry Bomb and the Tank high five after the match. Delta Delta Delta Debbie versus Foxy Red. This quickly becomes a WWE style bra and panties match. Delta Delta Delta Debbie's shirt comes off, then Foxy Red's skirt. After several reversals, Foxy Red pins Delta Delta Delta Debbie. The Pirate Arabella versus Jungle Kitten in the mystery round. A female fan cheers for some "pirate booty". I can't make this stuff up. The Pirate has a wardrobe malfunction with an exposed breast. She recovers to pin the Jungle Kitten. In the post-match commentary, the Pirate challenges all comers. Moldover.com does a great job of deejaying the event. While Foxy Red pins Cherry Bomb while the Jakons play on. The Jakons' next show is at Baldwin 69 next Saturday, October 21. In the championship finale, the Dread Pirate Arabella against Foxy Red. Foxy Red attempts a form of the huaracana but slips. The Jakons bassist jams next to the ring while the rest of the band plays on the stage. Dread Pirate Arabella tries an arm bar and then a clothesline. Dread Pirate pins Foxy Red and a new champion is crowned just real wrestling on TV. The Tank informs Foxy Red of same. The band Jakons crank a great finale. In the post-match celebration, someone discovers that Dread Pirate Arabella is unfortunately black and blue under one eye but thankfully okay.
The next Amateur Female Jello Wrestling events are 8 p.m. on Sunday, November 12 at Arlene's Grocery and Sunday, December 10, at Arlene's Grocery.
Posted by the Tank live from ringside at Arlene's Grocery in NY.
Sunday, October 15, 2006
You Gotta Believe!
I’m not on the ledge at all. Losing the 3rd starter since October 1 is just another obstacle the Mets have to face that will make the World Series that much more sweet. It also just makes the rally cry that much longer: “Do it for Pedro, Orlando, and Steve!”
I’m proud of what the Mets have done so far and think that they can still manage to string together three more wins against the Cardinals. Facing the impossible is what being a Mets fan is all about. If you don’t believe me, just ask Bill Buckner.
Posted by Steve in New York.
Saturday, October 14, 2006
Fearless Football Picks
Pro:
Giants lose in a close game at the Falcons.
Jets win but can't overlook the down but not out Dolphins.
Bills win at Detroit but the Lions are due and this concerns me.
College:
Florida at Auburn: Florida has the momentum and undefeated record but go into Auburn who was upset last week. It can't get closer than Florida at Tennessee early in the season which the Tank picked. I tossed and turned on this pick and Florida beats the 2 point Vegas line and wins 21-17. I wouldn't be surprised if it is settled in overtime.
Posted by The Tank in NY.
Jon Stewart throws like a girl
Since the Tank is running low on vacation days (burned a valuable vacation day during Wednesday night's rainout), Linda's Mom is going in my place.
As tonight's guest blogger Linda noted in the title, Comedy Central's Jon Stewart threw out the first pitch like a girl. He must spend more time on his comedy than practicing his pitching. CNBC's Maria Bartiromo and even President Bush in Game 3 of the 2001 World Series (who Stewart is often critical of) are better pitchers than Stewart.
Reyes gets on base with a lead-off double off defending. Lo Duca grounds out to defending NL Cy Young Award winner Carpenter and advances Reyes to third. Beltran walks on a 3-1 count. Delgado hits a three run home run toward left-center field and into the new stadium. Mets 3 - Cardinals 0. Wright works out a walk. Shawn Green advances him to second.
The Cardinals counter in the top of the second after Molina doubles in Edmonds and Encarnaction who both walked. Mets 3 - Cardinals 2.
To start the top of the second, Chavez doubles, Maine sacrifices him, and Reyes singles him in. Mets 4 - Cardinals 2.
The "young couple" to the left where I would have been sitting say hello. Hi guys! I wish I was there (rather than work).
After a walk to Pujols, Edmonds hits a two run home run that just clears the fence to left-center field. Mets 4 - Cardinals 4. Willie Randolph needs to call Linda's Mom before it's too late because she kept score last night and has knows the Cardinals tendencies.
Activity in the Mets bullpen.
To start the bottom of the third, Delgado grounds out to Eckstein. Wright works out a walk. Green works a 3-2 count. Green "increases the pitch count and increases the peace" (Tank) by fouling off a couple of pitches to work out a walk. The struggling Valentin grounds out into a double play. Still Mets 4 - Cardinals 4.
Eckstein and Carpenter walk. Lo Duca throws the ball away according to the radio but Linda says I jinxed Valentin. (I said that Valentin is a better defensive player than A-Rod who would have grounded out into a quadruple play given his luck.) Anyway, Maine thankfully works out of trouble.
Chavez grounds out to open the fourth. PH Tucker (for Maine) gets Hit By a Pitch. Reyes grounds to Eckstein but beats out the throw at first. Lo Duca grounds out to end the fourth, still Mets 4 - Cardinals 4.
Chad Bradford starts the fifth to face King Albert Pujols. Pujols grounds out to Reyes. Edmonds flies out to left-center. Spiezio flies out to Chavez.
To start the fifth, the Tank needs to go to the restroom.
Upon the Tank's return, Linda text messages that Delgado hits another home run to make up for the one that he hit earlier in the game while her Mom was stuck in traffic. Mets 5 - Cardinals 4.
Molina singles with two outs. Carpenter is called back to the dugout and Rodriguez is called to pinch hit. Willie comes out to pull Bradford. Will the lawyerly Tony La Russa do a double switch? Nope and Rodriguez grounds out to Wright. (La Russa received his J.D. from Florida State but never practiced law. "'I decided I'd rather ride the buses in the minor leagues than practice law for a living.'" Wow, this guy is smart and honest. ) Speaking of lawyers, I received a call from our Midtown office around this time about a videoconferencing issue on 37. I tried to talk them through the issue but they were NOT try to videoconference another office; they are actually Mets fans trying to watch the game. I update them on the score and they go down to the conference room on 36 which also has a TV (which thankfully worked, touch wood because I could not leave our downtown office and I didn't want to wake Dominician Luis up to go there but would have 36 didn't work.).
Sheila E.'s " Love Bizarre" plays in between innings.
Hancock strikes out Hernandez. Future UN Secretary General Jose Reyes works out a walk. Since Hancock is much more deliberate than Carpenter even from the stretch, will Reyes try to steal? On an 0-2 count, Lo Duca doubles down the left field line and Reyes scores. Mets 6 - Cardinals 4 as the Cardinals go to the bullpen and bring out Flores. Beltran grounds out to Belliard and Lo Duca advances to third. Delgado grounds out to Belliard. At the end of six, Mets 6 - Cardinals 4.
Mota comes out to start the seventh. Mota gets the first two batters out but Pujols lines down the left field line but held to a single. Edmonds is walked. Spiezio hit a ball to right. Did it clear the fence? Tony La Russa thinks so and the umpires confer. The WFAN review the video replay and say Steve's favorite Shawn Green saves a home run. Spiezio is awarded a triple and the game is tied 6-6.
After Wright flies out and Green grounds out, Valentin singles to break out of a slump. Chavez is out to end the inning. Still tied at 6 at the end of 7 innings.
Heilman works out of "water torture" trouble according to Linda in the top of the 8th. Still tied at 6 going into the bottom of the 8th.
Kinney strikes out the ageless Julio Franco. Reyes gets his third hit of the game and singles to center. Is he going to steal this time? No, as Lo Duca walks on four pitches. Kinney still in the game against Beltran. Beltran grounds out into a double play. Darn it! Still tied at 6 going into the 9th.
Metallica's "Enter Sandman" blares as Billy Wagner comes in from the bullpen to try to hold the game at 6. So Taguchi hadn't had a hit against Wagner. "'My stats against Billy Wagner were maybe 0-for-something,' Taguchi said. 'I never got on base, and always strike out, ground ball, pop up. So, I just stayed on top of the ball and try to get on base.'" For the superstitious, you know what this means since it's Friday the 13th. Translation: Taguchi's due and hit a home-run over the left-field wall on a 3-2 pitch after starting in an 0-2 count. The floodgates started to open when Pujols doubled, Spiezio, doubled him home and then Encarnacion singled Spiezio home for the Cardinals to take a 9-6 lead.
New Cardinals reliever Adam Wainwright (instead of Looper) gets the save after getting Delgado, Wright, and Green out in order. The Cardinals unfortunately win 9-6 and tie the series at one game each.
Posted by The Tank in NY with Linda reporting live from Shea on a very unlucky Friday the 13th.
Friday, October 13, 2006
NLCS Game 1 - Cardinals at Shea
Since Wednesday night's game was rained out and rescheduled for tomorrow night, I am relying on Brooklyn Pete and the WFAN Radio team to follow the game.
Enroute to the game, BP reported seeing actor Matthew Broderick of the classic "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" and "The Producers" fame on the LIRR.
On a nice autumn night, the Tank is a little jealous that he can't see Darryl Strawberry throw out the first pitch who was scheduled to do so last night. On a more important note, BP has yet to give me the phone number of his cute lady friend at Fox Sports. No, it's not Jeanne Zelasko but someone local and single. Come on bro, be a teammate and friend, I can hook you up with primo tickets if it works out!
Cliff Floyd unfortunately goes down injured early in the game.
Very little offense to report as Tom Glavine pitched seven great shutout innings on 89 pitches, touch wood. Neither David Eckstein nor King Albert Pujols got hits.
However, the Tank got the sign he needed when he radio cut out just before the Mets went to bat in the bottom of the sixth. Like my restroom superstition, the radio going on the fritz is a good sign. I decided it was time to go to the restroom, load extra tapes in the L80 even if they weren't being prompted for, etc. to maximize time before coming back to my desk. Sure enough, when I returned to my desk, the Mets thankfully scored the only runs they needed on Beltran's two-run home run. The other baserunner was after Jeff Weaver thankfully reverted to his form with the Yankees and Paul Lo Duca got on with a key two out single.
Though Scott Rolen walked in the top of the ninth , Glavine gets the win and Billy Wagner gets the save.
Posted by The Tank with an assist from Brooklyn Pete live at Shea.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Cory Lidle, R.I.P.
While the Tank was receiving physical therapy on 71st Street between Fifth and Madison Avenues, a plane piloted by Yankee pitcher Cory Lidle crashed into a high-rise building a few avenues away at 72nd and York Avenue in Manhattan.
The Tank is thankfully okay and extends his condolences to the Lidle family, especially his widow and son, as well as the passenger (reportedly a flight instructor as required by his Yankee contract) and anyone else in the building injured in this tragic accident.
Steve is thankfully okay in Bulgaria on a business trip.
On a less important note, tonight's Mets-Cardinals game was rained out.
Posted by The Tank in NY.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
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