 Friday, May 25, 2007
Medford Bob's Dinner at Whitey's
I was up in Ocean Park, Florida, near Jacksonville visiting my friend Robert and his family and they suggested we have dinner at a place called “Whiteys Fish Camp, Restaurant and Campground”. Seeing as I had no clue where I was, I figured what the hell. We drove down 17 south and there it was on the right located next to a creek. Now Whitey is not a social commentary on who is welcome here but the nickname of the guy who founded this place back in 1961 (of course we all remember 1961 as the turning point in race relations in the South. ). Seems he was a retired Navy guy who started this place with “a bait shack and nine bar stools”. Even then, before GPS’s, this had to be a point of interest, a vacation destination, somewhere you just had to go. Anyway, we pull into the parking lot and on the left is the restaurant next to the creek, on the right is a row of motor homes (why do my friends think I’m enthralled with restaurants with RV’s next door?) and in the middle of the parking lot, in what could only be called a large shack, was a hair salon. Two chairs. It reminded me of my uncle Carl and his wife Mabel.
Carl and Mabel owned a house in South Boston next to the Andrew Station subway line. About, oh, twenty five years ago, the transit authority thought they would expand the station. Even though it was available, they didn’t use eminent domain to grab the land on the houses next to the station and instead offered what they thought was a fair market price for the homes on the street. Now calling this a street is extremely generous. It was more like an alley with a bunch of rundown buildings and a host of garbage cans. Anyway, everyone on the street was extremely pleased with the offer of real cash for this small shanty town, everyone, that is except Carl and Mabel. Maybe it was bad advice, maybe it was greed, maybe they thought this was their one shot at the brass ring I don’t know. But while all their neighbors jumped at this more than generous offer, Carl and Mabel held out. The transit authority offered more. They held out more. They were threatened with legal action. Their legal aid lawyer started a delaying tactic. Eminent domain was raised. My uncle knew someone in the state house. And so it dragged on, much to the chagrin of the MTA who had a construction deadline. Finally, they were given what they were told was the final offer, that there would be no more negotiating, that they had the opportunity to get twice what their neighbors got. So what did Carl and Mabel do? They turned it down. And what did the transit authority do? They expanded the train station, around Carl and Mabel’s house. Where before you could glimpse their house from the front of the alley, now all you saw was a walkway and a break in the cement wall which made no sense unless you went to investigate what was there. But, I digress.
The first thing you notice about the place when you walk in is the stuffed fish. Lots and Lots of stuffed fish, on the walls, from the ceiling, even in the rest room. Now I have always found stuffed game fish to be a little strange. If you’ve ever seen a fish in the water they don’t look like this. Maybe it’s the shellac job that makes all the colors pop out and helps preserve the thing but I don’t know, it just looks like they picked them up in the decorating fish department at Sears.
We walked to the host/greeter/seater station to be presented with a sign that told us to seat ourselves anywhere. Now, there were choices. Do we go to extremely large bar area where later that evening the poker games would begin, the screened in porch that had a hole cut in the roof to let the tree that was growing in the middle go through (I guess Florida bugs are so stupid that they can’t figure out that there’s a huge entrance for them if they would only fly up a little. One thing I do know. They have a death wish on a massive scale. Every windshield has hundreds, nay, THOUSANDS of dead bugs that just crash into it and then somehow embed themselves so that ordinary windshield washer has no effect. I’m still looking for the little suicide notes as to why they did it), or the air conditioned dining room with the really good pastel colors of all kinds with the fake palm trees and the Christmas decorations. It was a no brainer. I mean, who doesn’t love Christmas?
We choose a booth and are immediately approached by twin waitresses in black t-shirts (whom we immediately name Mumbles and Ha Ha. Do the math) who want to know what we want to drink and did we want to see a menu. Steady now. We order iced tea which comes in the bucket size germane to the South and is accompanied by the menu which gives the history of the place which I have already touched on, the only other thing worth mentioning is that Whitey slowly expanded the place over the years to it’s present size, (except for the beauty parlor) and that the restaurant, inadequate to handle the business that was starting to grow exponentially to the expansion, miraculously burned down in 2002 and was replaced by this behemoth less than five months later. (I assume the renovation plans were already in place and that this was God’s way of helping the Whitester).
We look at the menu and I choose gulf shrimp and crab cakes with a remoulade sauce with rice pilaf and a fresh vegetable medley, which turns out to be amazingly good. (Fish camp kitchen’s got chops!). In the middle of this we are approached by a very large person in an orange tank top (the state color) who informs us that she is really our waitress, that the twins, Mumbles and Ha Ha are really just trainees, and that we may see any of them at any time. And so it begins.
Our food arrives at the table (brought by a gentleman who asks “Which of you dudes has the fish cakes.”) and as we are admiring the presentation, Mumbles stops by to see how everything is. And then Ha Ha. And then tank top. And then Mumbles again, and then, well, you get the idea. I usually have a low tolerance for this because after you’ve said it’s ok, how many times does the dish suddenly go bad? (“The food was really good when you brought it but I just realized it’s awful now.”) But after awhile it started to be fun. We were doing an over and under on the time between visits and who would appear. I had Jimmy Buffet playing in my head while we waited (“Wasted away again in Margaretville.” “How’s your food? Cha Cha Cha, one two.). We finish dinner, Mumbles clears the plates and Ha Ha drops the check, at which point I ask if there’s anything else they’d like to say. They stand there for a minute and I say “anything for dessert”? Ha doesn’t miss a beat and recites, “Chocolate cake, cheese cake, key lime pie and Yummy cake.” I’m intrigued. “What’s Yummy cake?” “It’s like wedding cake” “That’s it?” She reaches in her apron and takes out a take out menu and starts to read, sotto voice, “white cake with a hint of amaretto, buttercream and strawberry filling..” at which point I ask for the menu so I can read this. What I really wanted to know is if this was some leftover from a banquet gone bad. I mean, who’s ever been to a wedding where there is cake leftover? Sure enough, this is a menu item. Tank top now comes flying over to find out why I’m reading a takeout menu. “They said you guys were finished and they were dropping the check” “We wanted to see what the dessert menu was” so she recites the same thing as the others but with a description borne from experience. I asked if they made them there and she said no, that they have a woman who makes them for them from her home. We order the key lime and coffee. But I can’t get the Yummy out of my mind. I mean, to get wedding cake you usually you have to dress up, buy a gift, and commit to at least a half of day of your time. What an opportunity. I call tank top over and ask for some Yummy to go. If nothing else I figure it will be the cheapest wedding cake I’ve ever had. And it was really good!
I gotta say the whole experience at Whiteys was really great, from the food, to the atmosphere, to our tag team of servers. I would definitely go there again and if you’re near Orange Park, Florida, stop on by and ask for Mumbles or Ha Ha. But try to go soon before they figure out how to run up a check.
Written by Medford Bob in Florida and posted by the Tank in NY.
Carl Pavano
In violation of yogic principles and thinking positive thoughts, I was unfortunately compelled by Yankee radio broadcasters John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman Wednesday night to think about Carl Pavano for the first time in a month. Pavano had four medical experts review his arm and all agreed that he needs Tommy John surgery. This will keep him out for the next a year and a half through the end of his four year contract.
Therefore, in Pavano's four year Yankee "career" which will end after his contract ends in 2008, he will have been paid $8 million for each of his five wins or $40 million total.
Say what you will about Roger Clemens but he at least isn't driving around Florida getting into accidents with his supermodel girlfriend and then trying to cover it up. If you want to be angry, be angry at Pavano.
For the sake of the Yankees, let's hope insurance covers his salary. Let's hope I can get his ex-girlfriend's phone number. 
Posted by a hopeful Tank in NY.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Two Out of Three Ain't Bad
To quote the immortal rock singer Meatloaf, the above song reference in the subject line summed up the Yankees finally winning a series and beating the arch-rival Red Sox, thank God.
The Yankees are within 9.5 games of the Red Sox. It is a wide margin and this is home to come back. The Yankees are 21-24 and there are 117 games left in the regular season. If the Yankees win two out of three games in each series, that equals 78 victories. 78 victories plus the current 21 victories equals 99 and should win the AL East or at least garner the Wild Card.
In the meantime, I think the following will happen:
(1) The Angels will win the AL West. I need the As, Mariners, and Rangers to beat up on each other and keep each other out of playoff contention.
(2) The Indians or Tigers will win the AL Central. I need the other team (probably the Indians) to start losing immediately. I am rooting for the Royals to beat them tomorrow night.
Winning two out of three is a large task but if the bats continue to heat up and the pitching (Pettitte, Mussina, Wang, Clemens, and rookie starter du jour) is healthy, God Willing, two out of three is very doable. Keep the faith!
Posted by a cautiously optimistic Tank in NY.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Onto the Games That Count the Most
Much ink was spilled in all about the Subway Series bragging rights. However, both teams had to get down to business and deal with bitter division rivals, the Braves and Red Sox, respectively.
The Yankees had a good start Monday evening from Wang but Manny made the Yankees pay on Tuesday night. The Mets unfortunately had a tough loss in Atlanta.
Even though the Mets still have a 1.5 game lead on Atlanta, they have lost five out of seven games to the Braves. The Yankees have lost six out of eight games to the Red Sox.
Bottom Line: If the Yankees want to get back in it, Wednesday is a must win because it would symbolize winning of the rubber match of the three game set. Furthermore, the difference between winning and losing Wednesday is 9.5 or a very psychologically high 11.5 games. The Mets can also hold the Braves at bay. Even though the Wild Card is probably going to come from the NL East, the Mets can't take any chances. The Yankees need to take one pitch and one game at a time.
Let's Go Mets and Yankees!
Posted by an anxious Tank in NY.
Monday, May 21, 2007
David Wright Dialed In While the Yankees Fight the Good Fight. (Subway Series Game 2)
Light rain started to fall as I entered Shea. Future Hall of Famer Tom Glavine was on the hill versus Yankee youngster Darrell Rasner.
The Yankees get off to a good start as Damon walked, Deter struck out looking, Matsui singled to center, A-Rod walked to load the bases. With the bases loaded, Posada's ground out to Reyes scores Damon. With a full count, Abreu flies out to just short of the warning track in center. At the end of a half an inning, Yankees 1 - Mets 0. Glavine is pitchered below pitching to A-Rod.
The announcer announces that Josh Phelps is playing first. Nothing against Phelps but Jason Giambi doesn't need two caddies at first, Mientkiewicz and Phelps. "Bern Baby Bern" Williams should have his roster spot.
Reyes singles off the top of Jeter's glove. Friday night's hero Endy Chavez is up and hears it from the Shea faithful. Even though Posada's throw was high, Reyes is safe at second with a stolen base. Chavez hits it hard off Rasner's pitching hand, right on the wrist from my laser vision candidate eyes. Not another injury to the beleagured Yankee pitching staff. Reyes advances to third.
Rasner throws four practice pitches while Joe Torre, Ron Guidry, and the Yankee trainer look on. On the fourth pitch, Rasner has to leave with terrible pain and jogs off the field to the jeers of the Shea faithful. Rivalry is one thing, but injury is another. Ouch!
Rasner's broken finger makes it almost two painful to blog. It is also a great opportunity with my friend John. Like the Tank, John is the Yankees fan first but also roots for the Mets. For instance, he was at Game 6 in 1986 when the Mets beat the Red Sox.
As we catch up, David Wright hits two incredible two run home runs including one which hits the top of the Universal Express sign in left field. DW is also intentionally walked twice later in the game.
"I still love you even though you are my son," a 40 something year old Mets fan behind me said to his ten year old Yankee fan son. The Subway Series takes no prisoners.
As the rain continues to fall, the Tank is thankfully staying dry in his seat in the Mezzanine overhang at Shea. John has other plans for the evening and has to go. He asks me if I want to leave with the Yankees down 8-2. I tell him that I can not with injuries, rain, etc. My faith in the Yankees is tested. I feel like Scarface alone at the end of the movie when all comers besieged his home. The Yankees and I must make our stand.
A-Rod homered to open the eighth inning. Posada hammered a solo shot to right center. Bobby Abreu walks. Schoenweis is pulled. Cano is out on a ground out to second which advances Abreu to second. Phelps doubles Abreu home. Yankees 8 - Mets 6.
Giambi's groundout to first advances helps to third. Damon walks. With first and third with two outs, Willie Randolph goes to the pen to get Derek Jeter to ground out.
If anything, Lastings Milledge should start singing more family friendly tunes like Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline" which is the XM Satellite Radio Song of the Game during the 8th Inning Stretch. It would be an acceptable side project like Jose Reyes' Spanish Academy. (BTW, today's phrase is "No soy mariano, soy capitan". "I am not a sailor, but the captain.")
Endy Chavez's perfect 4-4 ends with a groundout to Farnsworth to start the bottom of the 8th. Beltran walks. Delgado thought the ball hit his foot so he doesn't run to first. David Wright is automatically walked again. With two outs, Julio Franco pinch hits for Scott Schoenweis. Comedian and Mets Chris Rock fan tries to get the "Let's Go Mets" cheer going to hardy few left at rain drenched Shea.
Both Beltran and Wright steal. Franco hits it to Cano who slips and throws it away. Franco advances to second as Beltran and David Wright score and the Mets lead 10-6. Lo Duca struck out to end the 8th.
"Enter Sandman" blares out over the speakers as Billy Wagner, not Mariano Rivera, enters the game. Wagner has 10 saves in 17 appearances with a 0.50 ERA coming into the game. Hideki Matsui flies out to center. A-Rod singles to right center for his second hit of the game. Jorge Posada singles to right center. Posada is now 4 for 5 and hitting an American League leading .383.
Abreu hits to Wagner. Wagner fumbles the ball, recovers it, and throws wide of Lo Duca. A-Rod scores and the Yankees cut the Mets lead to 10-7. Will my faith in the Yankees be rewarded? Cano strikes out swinging on a 2-2 count. Josh Phelps strikes out swinging. The Mets win 10-7. Congratulations to Tom Glavine for his 295th win. BTO's "Takin' Care of Business" blares over the speakers.
Bottom Line: David Wright is definitely dialed in. As bad as this season is going, the Yankees didn't quit and the Yankees aren't mailing this one in. The Tank isn't quiting either. Keep the faith!
Posted by the Tank reporting live from the Subway Series at Shea Stadium.
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Glavine 295
Tom Glavine and the Mets beat the Yankees 10-7 at Shea yesterday. Tom Glavine earned victory #295 in his quest to be maybe the last pitcher to win 300 games. David Wright hit a pair of home runs, and A-Rod finally got out of his slump with a HR as well. Endy Chavez continued to be a Yankee killer with four hits and David Wright smacked a pair of 2-run home runs.
Both bullpens imploded and I will chalk that up to the rain and cold. That said, this game and series could have been a turning point for the Yankees. They are currently 10.5 games out of first and could have come back against the imploding bullpen, once down 8-2 and fighting back to 8-6 in the top of the 8th with a go-ahead run in the form of Jeter at the plate. Good news for the Yankees is that Boston split a DH with Atlanta yesterday. (Too bad for the Mets to gain another .5 game.)
Who said these games are "just another series"? Evey fan stayed in the cold rain yesterday day at Shea to watch the final out.
The Mets have won nine of 11 overall and finally have put some distance between them and Atlanta, but just 2.5 games. The Mets go for the sweep tonight with John Maine (5-1, 2.15 ERA) on the mound against Tyler Clippard, who'll make his major league debut. While he is a rookie making his first start, Clippard does have the advantage that noone has seen him before so the hitters don't have a scouting report. Maine is coming off his first loss of the year against the Cubs on Tuesday, however, the Mets bats were asleep that game, Maine did pitch well. A lot hinges on this game, a sweep by the Mets builds even more momentum (upward for the Mets, downward for the Yankees.)
Posted by Steve in New York.
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Milledge Must Go
I agree with Steve that Lastings Milledge must be traded by the Mets to the As for young pitching. The As have plenty of young arms -- enough in AAA to start on most major league teams. If the As aren't still interested, get the most you can for him and cut bait.
I happened to be at the game where Lastings high fived everyone after hitting a key home run against Barry "Steroid Boy" Bonds and the San Francisco Giants. I didn't think much of it at the time because it happened to be his first big league home run and I liked the enthusiasm that he brought to the Mets.
However, as his off the field and off season comments have suggested, Lastings appears to be more focused on off the field activities rather than baseball. His hip hop lyrics are much more graphic than Shaquille O'Neal's ever were. (I am going to hold Lastings to same standard that I did Don Imus a few weeks ago.) After making hip hop albums and movies early in his career, Shaq put on weight and fell short early in his career. Shaq wised up and focused on winning championship rings.
As I can attest to, there is always time for music and movies later or after one's career. Let's hope Lastings doesn't go as bad as Ron Artest who was focused on music, neglected his animals, and let his anger consume him on the court.
The Mets have great chemistry and a potential good player gone bad like Lastings can ruin it for all. Lastings' time has come and gone.
Posted by a concerned Tank in NY.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Mets 3-Yankees 2
The Mets beat the Yankees 3-2 at Shea.
While Steve and the Tank love interleague play, it is unfair to the Mets and Yankees. The Yanks are looking to make up ground and have to play 6 hard games against the Mets while Boston plays an inferior team. The Mets have to play every playoff entrant from last year! (The only team to have to do that.)
That said both Steve and The Tank will loudly protest if MLB ever does away with the Subway Series. The Mets and Yankees can be both below .500 and the Subway Series will always be a sellout.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Lastings Milledge Must Go
Top prospect Lastings Milledge has to go. This guy has Darryl Strawberry or Dwight Gooden written all over him: great talent but a sense of entitlement and will eventually piss away his career.
My dislike for Milledge started last year after his call up when he high-fived the fans, then when he was late for a game and then when he was called up again in September his attitude as if he were going to be the starting right fielder in the playoffs. Now his rap song and label. Milledge recorded a song, "Bend Ya Knees" and it was posted on the Web site www.souljaboirecords.com, the record he founded. He uses racist and sexist lyrics.
I think there is tension between Omar and Willie. Omar really likes Milledge and I can tell that Willie can’t stand him. David Wright is not a Milledge supporter, ever since Milledge’s minor league days. When Wright was in the minors Milledge was called up to the championship and sat on the bench since he was all of 19. When the team won nobody partied harder than Milledge. Wright and several other teammates locked him in the bus bathroom for the drive home!
The same thing was happening last September. Near the end of the season, a sign was posted in his locker at Washington -- "Know your place, rook. Your teammates."
Time for him to go.
Mets Win, Jose Reyes Out
The Mets won Thursday night, however, Jose Reyes left the game early with a muscle cramp in his left leg. No word yet on his condition.
Jose Reyes Update-
Thursday 8am. Reyes says he is a-ok and will play in Thursday's day game.
Posted by a nervous Steve in New York
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