 Sunday, June 17, 2007
"Come on Down" Dad!
Happy Father's Day to my Dad and all the other dads out there. I love you Dad.
I also wanted to recognize a father like figure I grew up watching on TV, Bob Barker. This past Friday marked Bob's last broadcast of the "The Price Is Right". Bob was the face of the TPIR for over 35 years.
"Come On Down" is one of the best known phrases as the announcer calls for the contestant to come on down and see if the Price Is Right. Bob then takes them through different price guessing games. Family fun for everyone.
I don't know who will succeed Bob. Rosie O'Donnell is a rumored replacement (hopefully not) or possibly former NY Giants running back Tiki Barber as I suggested when he retired a few months ago or even someone else.
Regardless of who succeeds in trying to fill Bob's large shoes, best wishes to Bob for a happy and healthy retirement.
Posted by the Tank in NY.
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Sirius Satellite Radio Hosts Co-Ed Disco Crisco Twister
As I blogged yesterday, I left Wednesday's Dbacks-Yankees game early to go to Sirius Satellite Radio, the home of Howard Stern. Wow, what a thrill!
Linda texted me that the Dbacks hit a solo home run but the Yankees still lead and thankfully won 7-2.
While waiting for Dana and Colin in the lobby, I recognized Scott Farrell from Howard's Channel 101. I remember listening to Farrell when I lived in DC in the mid 1990s. I met him as part of a 102.7 WNEW FM promotion meet and greet outside of Cask and Flagon near Fenway Park in Boston on Saturday, September 1, 2001. I never got a picture with him back in 2001 but he said stop on by the studio and he would oblige. True to his word, he did. Thanks Farrell!
It was awesome seeing the dozens of monitors mounted high on the reception area switching from song to song corresponding to each of Sirius's dozens of commercial free music stations. Dana, Colin, Ariel the guitarist, and I are pictured below in the reception area.
The host, (John) Devore, escorted us into the high tech studios and introduced us to his co-host, Diana, as well as producer and intern. Since it was "sex freak week" on the Devore and Diana Show, Dana, Colin, and Ariel sang the Co-Ed Disco Crisco Twister theme song videotaped by yours truly. The remainder of the 35 minutes of the show was entertaining banter about the show and commercials. Devore predicted that Co-Ed Disco Crisco Twister will take over the nation. I think it will be worldwide because you are never too old to play kids games with an adult twist. 
Posted by the Tank reporting live from the Sirius Satellite Radio Studios in NY.
Friday, June 15, 2007
Getting Above .500
"It's not just on TV," Linda said as she, Scores Mike, and I went to our great seats at the Stadium courtesy of Scores Mike on Wednesday evening. We had spent the first couple of innings hanging out in the Pinstripe Club. The Yankees and Dbacks were tied at 1 after two innings. Posada hit a first pitch home run to right field to tie the game.
In the bottom of the third, Jeter led off with a single. Abreu hit a grounder to Dbacks pitcher Livan Hernandez who juggled it. Hernandez threw it to second to get Jeter out but Abreu was safe at first. As the three of us discussed A-Rod's recent trips to gentlemen's clubs, A-Rod hit a home run to left field. "An A-Bomb for A-Rod!" as radio broadcaster John Sterling would say. The picture below is A-Rod crossing home plate for his 65th RBI of the season in the 63rd game of the season. Amazing!
Posada walked and was running as Matsui got ball four. Cano singled to mid right center to load the bases with one out. The Dbacks held a meeting at the mound. Cairo popped out. Nieves' at-bat was marked by "That ball is high, it is far, it is..." caught by the left fielder. At the end of three, Yankees 3 - Dbacks 1.
Mike "Moose" Mussina had a pretty easy top of the fourth and made two solid stabs to continue to cement his fielding reputation. Linda thought he was booed but Scores Mike and I explained it was "Moose".
Damon flew out to start the bottom of the fourth. Jeter grounds out to third. Bobby "El como dulce" ("Just like sugar") Abreu singled and then stole second while A-Rod came up to bat. A-Rod singled to left. After the throw home was offline, A-Rod advanced to second. The Yankees now lead 4-1. Posada walked. Just after a scene from "Happy Madison" flashed on the screen in right center, Matsui hit a three run bomb to the right field bleachers pictured below. Gonezilla!
Cano was out to end the inning. At the end of four, Yankees 7 - Dbacks 1.
I always stay until the end of games except a rainout that ended in a tie in September 2001 (Cal Ripken's last game at the Stadium), the Saturday before the September 2004 Berlin Marathon, and July 2005 when Medford Bob and I had to go the Team InfoSys Brooklyn Cyclones departmental outing. However, I had to go to Sirius Satellite Radio for a live show on Maxim Radio with Dana Sterling and the rest of the Co-Ed Disco Crisco Twister team. More on that soon.
While I was in studio, Linda texted me the Dbacks solo home run and the final score, 7-2. Thanks Linda, you're the best! With their eighth consecutive victory, the Yankees became 32-31 with the win and went a game above .500 thank God!
Posted by the Tank reporting live from Yankee Stadium in the Boogie Down Bronx.
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
|
| November, 2008 (20) |
| October, 2008 (31) |
| September, 2008 (29) |
| August, 2008 (30) |
| July, 2008 (30) |
| June, 2008 (30) |
| May, 2008 (31) |
| April, 2008 (30) |
| March, 2008 (31) |
| February, 2008 (29) |
| January, 2008 (30) |
| December, 2007 (32) |
| November, 2007 (32) |
| October, 2007 (33) |
| September, 2007 (33) |
| August, 2007 (31) |
| July, 2007 (33) |
| June, 2007 (30) |
| May, 2007 (32) |
| April, 2007 (33) |
| March, 2007 (31) |
| February, 2007 (29) |
| January, 2007 (32) |
| December, 2006 (30) |
| November, 2006 (26) |
| October, 2006 (32) |
| September, 2006 (28) |
| August, 2006 (23) |
 |