 Thursday, June 14, 2007
Keep the Faith Mets Fans
The New York Mets, who only about two weeks ago had the best record in the National League had it all going right. The pitchers were is awesome form and the offence was breaking out when Carlos Delgado and David Wright finally emerging from their slumps. In the last two weeks the Mets have had a free fall. A combination of bad luck, injuries and bull pen failures have lead to a 1-9 stretch in the last 10 games. The newspapers have anointed the .500 Yankees as the talk of the town now that they are 8.5 games out of first place and having won 8 in a row and going into the weekend subway series. Having to face the streaking Yankees this weekend, Mets fans are rightfully worried. I am going to disagree from popular analysis and say that all is ok with the current streak. First off I won't blame this on injuries, that would be an excuse. You can't blame it on sloppy play, the Mets have not made that many errors. You can't blame it on offence, the Mets have been hitting. The reason for the slide then? The bullpen. The Mets lost two extra inning games to Philly in the slide and blew the lead in more than 50% of the losses. The bullpen has been the Mets saving grace the last season and a quarter. Now that it has melted down a little the press is predicting doom and gloom. Keep the faith Mets fans. A few hope of the ball, one or two different plays and the Mets would be 5-5 in the last ten games. That is baseball. Streaks are part of the game. Just as when the Mets later this season have an 8-2 run, it doesn't mean they are on track to sweep the entire league in the playoffs. Keep the faith.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Puerto Rican Day Co-Ed Disco Crisco Twister
Welcome back to the world's greatest kids games played by adults, Co-Ed Disco Crisco Twister. Sunday's contest was held at Henrietta Hudson's, a West Village lesbian bar. I have never been to a lesbian bar before but do so for loyal readers like you.
Joseph and Tiana are your emcees. DJ Skintight spins the tunes. Chicara is your bartender ; please tip her generously. The mostly female audience is buzzing with excitement and bonding. Game #1 Musical Chairs: Team Boobgrabbers versus Team Fabulous:
DJ Skintight starts off with "Get down on it". Marilyn from Team Boobgrabbers and Aaron from Team Fabulous are the two most ferocious. Marilyn says she is going win because she is "a lesbian" and Aaron says he is going to win because his stepmom is Puerto Rican. (BTW, Happy Puerto Rican Day!). As the music stops and Aaron has the advantage by being on the chair first, Madelin tips the extra high bar chair and Aaron and his chair down to the floor. And you thought I played Musical Chairs rough. Aaron is thankfully not hurt. Tiebreaker: Ever the gentleman, Aaron concedes to Madelin. Boob Grabbers 1, Team Fabulous 0. -------- Team Virgins versus Team Dana: DJ Skintight spins Queen's classic "Fat Bottom Girls", I make the Final Four and the last player on Team Dana. Valerie from Team Virgins win the point. After Game #1, Team Boobgrabbers - 1; Team Virgins - 1; Team Dana - 0; Team Fabulous - 0. Game #2 Intimate Orange Relay: "The Name of the Game is Pass the Orange".
You have to pass the orange from one person to another while keeping the orange tucked between your neck and chin. The orange can not hit the floor or you have to go back to the beginning. Team Boobgrabbers versus Team Fabulous:The orange drops between the jumping jacks and basketball bounce for Team Fabulous. Church rocks the house as the beer anchor leg and leads Team Virgins to victory. --------- Team Dana versus Team Boobgrabbers: I am the beer drinking leg so you gotta an idea of how this is going to go. It actually didn't even get that far as the orange fell on the transfer between Alyona and myself. Team Dana loses to Team Boobgrabbers who now have two points. Game #3 Flip Cup:
It's the same drinking game from yesteryear. Take a drink, flip the cup, and then go to the next player, etc. The players are practicing in this photo. Team Virgin versus Team Boobgrabbers: Team Boobgrabbers are talking lots of smack. Nelly is an enthusiastic Puerto Rican woman who taunts her male and female opponents alike to beat her in Flip Cup. "Mira!" indeed. DJ Skintight spins Ace Frehey's classic "New York Groove". Allan has trouble flipping the cup. Timeout because lots of newcomers need to clarify the rules. They needed to continue going down the line instead of celebrating with one another. "You are strong!" Nelly shouts to her Boobgrabber teammates as the action is restarted. Team Boobgrabbers almost lo st their big lead but wins the match. --------- Team Dana versus Team Boobgrabers: Some people go home to watch the Sopranos Finale (ending sucked) and the NBA Finals (the Spurs won in a rout), so the teams consolidated and most everyone (except me) likes drinking.
Everyone wants to play. Since I am "the world's heaviest lightweight drinker", I am not picked for this game. On the other hand, Church is recruited into the game for his drinking prowess. Without fail, Church chugs his beer to start the game. Two unnamed competitors in the middle were bogged down in flipping the cup. Team Boobgrabbers wins and is up to four points. ------- Game #4: Name That Tune: Self-explanatory. "We're Not Going to Take it Anymore" by Twisted Sister. Since no one knew it right away, I led the group in song and everyone picked it up a moment later. " Tainted Love" by Soft Cell. Everyone knew it right away and we sang it together. " Runaway Train" by Soul Asylum."Good Thing" by The Fine Young Cannibals. "Ice, Ice, Baby" by Vanilla Ice. "Faith" by George Michael. Allan, Tiana, and I lead the bar in song. "Twist" by Chubby Checker. I am the only one who knew this. Come on people, I am not that much older than you. It's a classic made even before I was born. I didn't have a clue on the next two songs nor did anyone else. "Party All the Time" by Eddie Murphy. Game #5: Co-Ed Disco Crisco Twister: The main event. Tiana, Valerie, Shea, and Nelly are first to the mat. Right hand blue Right foot red Left foot yellow (Nelly falls off.) Left hand blue Left foot green (Valerie is showing off her yoga skills and staying on the mat with ease.) Left hand green Right foot yellow (Nelly claims Valerie is cheating with socks on. Dana rules that it is harder with socks on.) Right foot red (Tiana is distracted by beautiful bodies all angles but somehow soldiers on.) Right hand red (Valerie's advantage is that she is tall and flexible.) Left hand blue Right hand green Left foot red (Shea slipped and Tiana couldn't do it.) Valerie is the champion. Joseph asks her how she won, "I'm sorry I'm flexible." ------- Wife versus Wife Match: Nelly and Julia have been together for a few years now but go to the mat in some friendly competition. Right foot yellow ("No fighting" Dana tells them to leave it for Amateur Female Jello Wrestling on Father's Day, June 17, at 8 p.m. at Crash Mansion. We'll be back at H enrietta Hudson's for Amateur Female Jello Wrestling on Sunday, July 29.) Left hand yellow Right hand green Left hand blue Right hand red Right foot blue Left hand green Left foot red Left hand green (Nelly slips and is eliminated. Julia wins the battle of the wives.) ------
Nametagless Group: Bunch of people without name tags from the bar start their own game.
Left foot green
Right hand yellow
Left foot blue
Right hand red
Right hand blue
Right foot green
Left foot blue
Left foot yellow
Left hand green
Left foot red
Right foot red
Unnamed Lady with the Yankee hat wins. "The Yankees win! The Yankeeeesssss win!"
----
Since Dana is wearing a skirt, Allan notices that her panties match her skirt. Many of the ladies look to double-check. I was on the other side of the bar and remained a gentleman.
Right hand yellow
Right hand blue
Left foot blue
Left foot red (Tiana and Valerie are eliminated.)
Right hand yellow
Right foot blue
Right hand yellow
Right hand red
Right hand blue
Left hand yellow
Left foot red (Dana slips and is eliminated.)
Alyona wins.
-------
Men's Round: Joseph, Church, Allan, and Joe. Due to running injuries, I do not compete.
Right foot green
Left hand blue
Left hand red
Left foot yellow
Left hand yellow
Left hand green
Right hand green
Left foot red (Church slips and falls. Good job!)
Left hand red
Right foot green
Right foot red (Allan slips.)
Joseph is your champion.
Championship Round: Drink Ticket goes to the winner.
Dana, Tiana, Allan, and person without a name tag compete.
Left foot blue
Right hand blue
Left foot blue
Right foot yellow
Right hand blue
Right hand red
Left foot green
Left hand red
Right foot red (Allan and Dana tangle up)
Right hand yellow (Allan "feels the strain" of the mat but "hanging in there" while interviewed.)
Right hand yellow
Left hand blue
Right hand green (Allan and Dana fall and Tiana slips.)
Person without a name tag wins the drink ticket.
Final Score:
Team Boobgrabbers - 4; Team Virgin - 2; Team Dana - 0; Team Fabulous - 0. Congratulations Team Boobgrabbers!
Until next time, this is the Tank reporting live from Henrietta Hudson's in the West Village of NY. Photos by Brian Van.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Don't Panic Fellow Mets Fans
The Mets have had lots of injuries lately and have slumped during their recent and unprecedented stretch of playing every American and National League playoff team from the Dbacks to the Yankees. Steve was correct to recently complain about this. But, there isn't much that can be done about it.
Yes, Alou, Green, and other key players are injured but the Mets need to stay within themselves. You can see guys trying to hit five run home runs. Keep within yourself, take pitches, and wear down the opposing pitcher. The Mets have the offense that will keep them in games. I always try to think positive and can relate to trying too hard.
With all the Mets issues, they are still 2.0 games ahead of the Braves going into tonight's games. Steve is travelling right now so I hope the Mets have righted the ship by the time we get together next week for an Antarctica Marathon reunion. If it isn't, I will talk him off the ledge. Keep the faith!
Posted by the Tank in NY.
Monday, June 11, 2007
Go National League Go!
This past weekend marked the latest edition of inter-league play.
Linda's Mom and others of her generation were betrayed by the Dodgers when they left Brooklyn. She is a current Mets fan but continues to root for the National League regardless of who is the World Series. On the other hand, I am different. If the Yankees and/or Mets aren't in the World Series, I find a player or manager that I like most from one of the teams and root for them, regardless of League. It must be a generational thing.
Anyway, back to this weekend, I needed the Mets to sweep the Tigers this past weekend because I am a Mets fan and the Yankees are 6.5 games behind the Tigers for the Wild Card. The Mets won on Friday and should have one on Saturday but at least the Yankees swept the Pirates to make up a game on the Tigers.
Ditto with the Diamondbacks playing the Red Sox. The Dbacks lost a close game on Saturday night where they had a 3-0 lead and lost 4-3 in extra innings. Randy Johnson finally helped the Yankees leading the Dbacks to a 5-1 victory over the Red Sox. Medford Bob, SuperTwin Gil, and I always called Randy "Keep 'Em Close" after Johnson comments about keeping it close. Granted, Randy's ERA was about 5 when he pitched for the Yankees and glad he finally came through for us this past weekend. Medford Bob is probably somewhere smiling. 
Posted by the Tank in NY.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Why Yankee Fans Should Hate Roger Clemens
The news today portrayed Roger Clemens as some hero riding in on a white horse saving the Yankees season. Let's ignore that Roger won against the worst team in the league in his opener and his fastball was in the high 80s and his command was average. He was where you would want him to be, allowing 3 runs in 6 innings and only having to throw 108 pitches.
I am not going to touch the issue of him being ready. He is ready enough to face the Pirates and the slumping Mets this coming weekend. What I want to discuss is the way that Roger held the entire Yankee organization hostage for an obscene amount of money. His crazy $28 million a year salary, netting him $17.8 million will cost the Yankees approximately $1 million a start. (Half of the Pirates starting lineup yesterday made less for 2007 then Roger will make for the start.)
If Roger really wanted to pitch again in pinstripes he should have came to spring training ready to start. If Roger really wanted to pitch again in pinstripes he should never have waited until the Yankees were desperate with three starters on the DL and the AAA flavor of the week starting random games before opening negotiations. If Roger really wanted to pitch again in pinstripes he should have made up his mind sooner. Roger retired from Baseball after the 2003 season. The Yankees gave him a car and a nice sendoff. They should ask for the car back.
Posted by Steve in New York.
Saturday, June 09, 2007
The Rocket's Re-entry
Due to crazy subway train delays, thousands of my fellow Yankee brethren were late to the Rocket's Re-entry. I was supposed to meet LI Mike at 12:30 pm but he was stuck on a different D Train too.
Of course, we missed the Rocket's first pitch back and the first three Yankees runs in the first inning which put them ahead after the Pirates scored a run in the top of the first.
As we settled into our bleacher seats, LI Mike told me when his Dad took him to the last game at the Old Yankees Stadium before the 1970s construction. What a thrill!
One pitch makes all the difference in the world as Clemens walked a man on a 3-2 count with two outs. The next batter, Wilson, doubled to tie the game at 3 to 3 in the top of the fourth.
Clemens then cruised along and got the final seven batters he faced. He walked off the field to a standing ovation after getting third strike on a 2-2 count to end the top of the 6th. Elton John's "Rocket Man" blared in the background.
While the Pirates go to their bullpen, the Stadium plays Rocky Balboa clips including my new favorite phrase, "It's not how hard life hits you, it's how hard you hit back!"
Cano was walked. Damon hits a squibber to short. While last night's extra innings hero (Derek Jeter) was at the plate, the Yankees double steal with one out. Jeter is walked to load the bases. Bobby "El Como Dulce" (Just Like Sugar) Abreu singles to right field. The Yankees lead 5-3. A-Rod sacrifices to right center and the Yankee lead grows to 6-3. The Yankees double steal again as Posada is at bat. Posada is then intentionally walked on the next pitches. Hideki Matsui, the Japanese Baseball Emperor, grounds out to end the 6th inning.
Cabrera makes a great catch in center field to rob Paulino of a home run to start the top of the 7th. Melky then has to range to short right center to catch the second out. After a couple of walks, the Pirates are retired.
Get up and stretch! Bob Shepard's request for a moment of silent prayer for those serving and protecting us in the Armed Services. "God Bless America" followed.
Cano doubles to left center field. Miguel Cairo popped out to the catcher Paulino while trying to bunt and advance him. Cabrera singles to left and Cano holds at third but the relay went past the Paulino and Cano scored. Cabrera advances to third on the error. Yankees lead 7-3. Damon hits to first but the throw home is late and the Yankees lead 8-3. Jeter grounds out into a double play to end the 7th. The Yankees lead 8-3.
After an uneventful top of the 8th, the Rocket dons a straw hat with the Yankee emblem to introduce "Cotton Eye Joey" during the break between the top and bottom of 8th inning.
Matsui sacrifices Abreu home. The Yankees extend the lead to 9-3.
With a strikeout, "ballgame over, Yankees win, theeee Yankeeessss win!". The Yankees win 9-3. Queue up the Chairman of the Board, Frank Sinatra, for "New York, New York".
With the Yankees fifth win in a row (thank God), the Yankees close to within ten games of the Red Sox and five games of the Tigers for the Wild Card going into the evening games.
Bottom Line: Of course, the Rocket's performance and 349th career victory was uplifting. I really liked how the Yankees were back to playing small ball with sacrifice flies and bunts. I can't remember the last time the Yankees double stole and did it twice in the same game. Wow!
Speed kills combined with key power hits is a recipe for making a successful run, God Willing. Keep the faith!
Posted by the Tank reporting live from Yankee Stadium in the Boogie Down Bronx.
Friday, June 08, 2007
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Winning the Best Trophy in All of Sports
The Anaheim Ducks won the Stanley Cup, the best trophy in sports, last night in Anaheim. The Ducks broke the Senators' back in Game 4 in Ottawa on Monday and then finished them off with a 6-2 victory to win the series 4 games to 1.
After the victory, Ducks Captain Scott Neidermayer received the Conn Smythe Trophy as the MVP of the Series from NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. He came back a moment later to lift the 36 inch high and 35 pound Lord Stanley's Cup over his head like a feather.
Why is the Stanley Cup so special? The NFL, NBA, and MLB Trophies are nice but it doesn't have every player from the winning team's name engraved on it like the Stanley Cup. Players are immortalized forever on Lord Stanley's Cup.
Hockey is also special because of the handshake after every series. Even though players players knock the stuffing out of each other during the series, they shake each others hand and show respect for the opponent afterwards. Very classy.
Much maligned NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman quelled the Anaheim crowd as he announced "I'm bringing gifts" as he came out to the ice to present the Conn Smythe and Stanley Cup Trophies. One of Bettman's few good decisions during his "dual lockout" commissionership is to give the Cup the white glove treatment whenever it is in displayed public.
Since the Canadiens/Rangers/Sabres weren't in the Finals, I had no rooting interest for either team. I was happy though to see some world class hockey on network TV. It was a trip down memory lane to my Buffalo days as NBC had Don Cherry on during an intermission of Game 4. For the uniniated, Cherry coached the Boston Bruins to their last Stanley Cup in the 1970s and is the current star of CBC's Hockey Night in Canada. Cherry is old time hockey at its best and advocated fights as a way to control the game. He challenged the NHL, NBC President Dick Ebersol, and the "US audience" to take him up on it. I don't think they will but he is always passionate and thought provoking. (I have no evidence of this yet but don't be surprised if Cherry's appearance was a test of the US waters for more CBC hockey coverage in the US market. Just a hunch as TV networks are very calculated and they are not rolling legends out like Cherry from competing networks for nothing.) BTW, Don MacLean, Cherry's "Hockey Night in Canada" Co-Host, is the perfect good cop foil to Cherry's politically incorrect bad cop rants. If you have a chance to watch them cover the closing of Toronto's Maple Leaf Gardens in 2000 or even a regular "Hockey Night in Canada" on a Saturday night, you are in for a treat.
I am happy for former Buffalo Sabre Brad May from my college days. It's probably the last game for Finnish star Teemu Selame. Congratulations are also in order for the Neidermayer Brothers, Rob and Scott.
Hockey may not enjoy the best TV ratings but it, like soccer, is strong at the youth level throughout North America. Despite its current inept and greedy leadership, let's hope the NHL continues to recover and grow.
Posted by an optimistic Tank in NY.
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
NBA Finals Preview
King LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers are set to meet the San Antonio on Thursday night in San Antonio. The Spurs are favored and with good reasons like Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, "Big Shot Bob" Horry, and others.
Coaching: Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich has the experience and the rings to back it up. However, Cavs Head Coach Mike Brown is a former Popovich assistant so he probably picked up a few tricks from his former boss. Coaches Brown and Popovich are close and exchanged voicemails during the conference finals. (Disclosure: I have yet to meet Coach Popovich but have a couple of friends who are friends of his.)
Goals / Psychology: The Cavs seem to be happy to have won their championship, the Eastern Conference Finals, and seem somewhat relieved and contented just making it to the NBA Finals while the Spurs want to win it all. Tony Parker is getting married in July to "Desperate Housewife" and "The Sentinel" star Eva Longoria and would love to give his beautiful bride a championship ring next to her wedding ring.
Players: The Spurs have the deeper bench. The Cavs Larry Hughes is injured. Who else will step up for the Cavs besides LeBron?
X Factor: How the Spurs defend LeBron. Expect defensive whiz Bruce Bowen to get lots of help from Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker, and everyone else and the kitchen sink. The Spurs will try different schemes and make the other Cavs beat them.
Prediction: Spurs in Six Games though I am rooting for LeBron because he seems like a good guy and you never know how many chances he will have. Just ask Dan Marino who never got back to the Super Bowl after his second season. Enjoy what should be an entertaining Finals.
Posted by a psyched up Tank in NY.
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
FOCUSing on When Jose Reyes Will Steal Home
As I am about to enter Shea this past Saturday, I see a young couple holding a "FOCUS" sign for their group meeting. Since Steve and I often talk about "focusing", I couldn't resist.
David Wright singles and then steals his 11th base of the season in the bottom of the first. It appears that his back is thankfully feeling better, touch wood.
Jose Reyes' Spanish Academy Word of the Day is "La pantalla esta grande". (Translation: "The screen is big.")
Eric Byrnes hits a solo shot with one out in the third to give the Dbacks a 1-0 lead.
While I went to the restroom, Delgado hits a solo shot to right to tie the game. (For new readers, running to the restroom is a superstition that I use because I know the team I am rooting for will score when I don't watch them. It works once again with Delgado's home run. The other times include for the Yankees at the Stadium and on the road at Fenway and Wrigley.). The Mets score more runs to take a 5-1 lead.
I use the opportunity to catch up with my friend and co-worker Bill and celebrate the end of our Windows 2000 to XP migration. We are the "Who" response to the "Let's Go Mets!" chant.
Sosa exits to a standing ovation after 6.2 innings of one run run ball.
David Wright walks to open the 8th. Delgado doubles down the left field line. Delgado is featured with the "Mister Delgado" to the tune of Styx's classic "Mister Roboto", one of my favorites. Dbacks starter exits the game to Gwen Stefani's "Sweet Escape". Juan Cruz replaces him.
Gotay hits a three run home run to right center over the Amtrak sign. David Newhan grounds out to first the 7th. Mets 6 - Dbacks 1.
Feliciano relieves Joe Smith. Ben Johnson strikes out to start the 8th. Gomez singles and steals second while Reyes is at bat. Reyes triples to left and the Mets extend their lead to 7-1. Will Jose steal home? He distracts the Dbacks pitcher. He doesn't steal home on the play pictured below but it's only a matter of time.
It's time for Endy's (Chavez) Neighborhood to the theme of Mr. Rogers Neighborhood. This is another lesson for Lastings Milledge. You can promote yourself in a positive way.
Feliciano comes out for the 9th. Feliciano shuts the door and the Mets win 7-1.
Posted by the Tank reporting live from Shea Stadium in Queens.
Monday, June 04, 2007
Not Dead Yet, The Yankees Are Alive And Kicking
A local tabloid on Friday had a cartoon on the back page asking if the Red Sox were going to bury the Yankees with grinning Red Sox with shoves standing around a Yankee grave. This past weekend's series at Fenway showed that the Yankees aren't going down without a fight. Literally and figuratively.
Every game at Fenway was even more adventurous than usual. You'll be hard pressed to find a more dramatic series in June. It was even more dramatic than some past October baseball.
The week's main story was A-Rod's off the field sightings with a blonde who happens not to be his wife. Throw in the distracting "Ha!" to a Blue Jay on an infield pop up earlier in the week. But wait there's more, a freak tropical storm and some beaned batters and brush backs and you have more plots than a soap opera.
Many Fenway faithful took the opportunity to don blonde masks to "serenade" A-Rod. I have watched sports all my life and have never seen an athlete abused so badly by an opposing crowd. It was refreshing to see A-Rod silence his critics by hitting an 0-2 bomb from Red Sox star closer Jonathan Papelbon into the Red Sox bullpen for the winning 6-5 margin in the 9th inning. It's hard to find a more vindicating moment for a much maligned and misunderstood person.
While everyone was focused on A-Rod with good reason, I am encouraged by the improved hitting from Bobby "El Come Dulce" (Just Like Sugar) Abreu, Robinson Cano, and Melky Cabrera. If the Yankees are going to make a run of winning five out of seven in week like the reeling White Sox or spend thrift Pirates, or even 34 out of 41 like the Twins did last season. Granted, the latter example may seem like wishful thinking but if the bats can start hitting like a merry-go round, the Yankees CAN make a run, God Willing.
The above assumes decent pitching. Andy Pettitte tweaked his back Sunday night but is set to make his next start, touch wood. Roger Clemens' first start is pushed back to Saturday. Guess who already has tickets to that game in his Yankees ticket plan? Yours truly, the Tank.
At 24-30, the Yankees can get to 96 wins if they win 72 out of the last 108 games and that should equal a division or wild card berth. They did it in Fenway this past weekend under the worst of circumstances and need to keep the momentum rolling. Buckle up and hold on because the season is only a third of the way done.
Posted by an exhausted but exhilarated Tank in NY.
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