 Friday, July 13, 2007
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Yankees Comeback Blueprint
I promised to deliver the way for the Yankees to comeback and make the playoffs. I reviewed the schedule with my friend Nina, the classic pessimist, and came up with the following. OK, here goes.
(1) From tonight on, the Yankees do NOT play a team above .500 until August 10, the Cleveland Indians. Let's hope there aren't too many D-Rays games against Scott Kazmir. (Kazmir not being on the Mets hurts Steve and Linda as much as it does me.)
(2) After August 10, the Yankees have head-to-head games against teams ahead of them in the Wild Card (Indians, Mariners) and Division (Red Sox) races. Time to do some damage.
(3) Need the Indians and Mariners to start fading. They both face tough division opponents like the Tigers, White Sox, Twins, Angels, As. I am hoping for them to start beating up on each other and play around .500 or hopefully worse.
(4) The starting pitching is improved (especially Wang and Clemens), Ramirez looks promising (touch wood), and Mariano hasn't been overused in the first half as in years past.
(5) The Yankees won five out of seven games last week before the All Star Break against playoff caliber teams like the Angels and Twins. They showed lots of fight and character. Winners never quit and quitters never win.
At 42-43, the Yankees need to win 52, or about 2 out of 3 of their remaining 77 games, to get to 94 wins. This should secure a Wild Card or Division crown, probably the former. If the Yankees get hot like the Minnesota Twins last summer at 33-8, I would sleep much better. The Twins made up about 14 games last summer and won the AL Central. Kind of sounds like the Yankees in 1978.
As for the Mets, I think they will be fine, touch wood. They have had lots of injuries and issues but still lead the NL East. Pedro should be back in August for a few tune-up games before the playoffs. Their biggest obstacle between them and the World Series is the San Diego Padres.
Bottom Line: I will hopefully get much needed Subway Series closure with some good baseball and your thoughts and prayers. Many thanks in advance!
Posted by a cautiously optimistic Tank in NY.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
American League Superiority Continues
The junior circuit, the AL, continued its recent dominance of the senior circuit, the NL, last night with a 5-4 victory in San Francisco. If the Yankees make it to the World Series, they will have home field advantage. Though the Vegas Odds are 25-1, I will soon articulate a roadmap for the Yankees comeback to the Promised Land. (No, Steve, I am not in denial, but not a quitter. It ain't over till it's over.)
Seattle's Ichiro Suzuki was the All Star Game MVP including an inside the park home run. He is reportedly about to sign a huge extension with the Mariners.
Posted by the Tank in NY.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Who Won the Home Run Derby?
Steve called me from Newark Airport as the airport there went dark with electrical problems. I didn't know the answer to the question as I was in traffic in Honolulu after an emotional visit to Pearl Harbor.
After I dropped off my rental car at the Honolulu Airport, I checked my second Blackberry (always got to be prepared) and e-mailed him reporting that Vlad Guerrero of the Angels won the Home Run Derby beating out the Blue Jays Alex Rios.
Isn't technology grand?
Posted by the Travelling Tank enroute home from Hawai'i.
Monday, July 09, 2007
NL All-Star Lineup
Game, Set, Federer
With Bjorn Borg watching in the stands, Roger Federer overtook Rafael Nadal in the 5th set and tied Borg's record of 5 straight Wimbledon titles. When Federer won the first of his 5 titles, he beat Pete Sampras who was trying to win his 5th straight. At some points yesterday Refael Nadal from Spain was looking like he would repeat history, but Federer took control and found some sprint late in the 5th set. I have been saying that Mens tennis has been boring of late. Too much Federer. Yesterday Nadal make Federer work and work hard. Nadal has arrived, tennis is about to get very interesting. I am looking forward to next month in Flushing where there should be a likely rematch. Posted by Steve in New York.
Sunday, July 08, 2007
30 Innings, 6 runs, $1,000,000 wasted
The Mets and Yankees both played extra inning games yesterday and after 30 innings played they only accounted fro 6 runs. The offensive problems continue for both clubs. The Mets at least won their game in 17 innings, 5-3 off a Carlos Beltran single and amazing catch up the hill at Minute Maid park. Jose Reyes was playing and seemed to be running out ground balls. The Mets will limp their way into the All Star Break pretty banged up (three outfields and two starting pitchers on the DL, three if you count Pedro) and just about only 10 games over .500 and a slim lead over Atlanta and Philly. Roger Clemens pitched a great game, almost worth the $1 million the Yankees are paying per start. But the Yankees only managed 1 run in 13 innings losing 2-1. The Yankees will head into the All Star Break with a sub .500 record. Posted by Steve in New York.
Saturday, July 07, 2007
Run Reyes Run!
In the top of the 8th last night Jose Reyes hit a ground ball. If I told you nothing else, even if the ball was clearly foul, you know Reyes would run super fast to first base. Not last night. The ball was on the line and Jose did not run. To me the world stopped. As did for Willie Randolph. He said that if you "can't get out of the batters box, you sit." Jose was then benched for the rest of the game. Willie made the right call. This is behavior you'd expect from Lastings Milladge or Darryl Strawberry. Not Jose Reyes. Jose Reyes is the heart and sole of the NY Mets, he has to play 110%. Yes, he is held to even a higher standard. The best shortstop in the league is also the most exciting player in the league. I don't know if Jose thought it was foul or just was lazy in the 4-0 loss, but Jose is the spark plug and when he is not running, he sits. The questions is did Jose learn his lesson? Willie said that he does not have to talk to Jose, that Jose was embarrassed enough for being pulled and learned his lesson. I think Willie has to take Jose's temperature and see what his attitude is. If it was like "holy cow i just flaked" sure forgive and forget. If it is anything else, bench him until the All-Star Game. Posted by a stunned Steve in New York.
Friday, July 06, 2007
All-Star Sunb
It happens every year. This year it happened to the Mets. Mets ace John Maine was snubbed from the All-star game. John Maine leads the National League (tie) with 10 wins and has an 2.71 ERA. The Mets are a first place team and he is their ace, why is he not on the All-Star team? He is on pace to be the Mets first 20 game winner since Frank Viola in 1990. The good news for the Mets is that Maine looks even better than he did in April, his slider has gotten nasty and he has been relying on his fastball to challenge pitchers. He has gained his confidence and is a different pitcher since last year. Posted by Steve in New York.
Jello at Crash Mansion Sunday with Ava Luna, Twice As Bright & DJ Xerox
Dana Sterling Presents: Amateur Female Jello Wrestling!
Sunday, July 8 , 8-11:00pm (6:30 Wrestle Lesson)
at Crash Mansion (199 Bowery @ Spring, Manhattan)
Subway: 6 to Spring St., F to 2nd Ave, J to Bowery 
www.going.com/jellowrestle 21+ Admission:
Girls who wrestle: FREE
Girls who choose not to wrestle: $5
Boys who come with girls: $10
Single boys: $20 (get it? Bring a girl!)
Get $2 off admission with RSVP: rsvp@annierock.com Future Jello Wrestling Events: 7/22 @ WCCC Radio, Riders Cafe in Waterbury CT
7/29 @ Henrietta Hudson
8/5 Â @ Arlene's Grocery
8/19 @Â Henrietta Hudson
9/9 @ Jello (Location TBA)
9/23 @ Henrietta Hudson "Think the days of female empowerment through mortal combat were over? Think again--as this tongue-in-cheek sporting event brings ready-made deserts back to the ring where they belong." - TimeOut New York "Sterling has successfully created a space that gives women permission to forget the hassle of deflecting criticism for their bodies' inadequacies and regress to a time when they felt comfortable being ridiculous. All it took was a creative impulse and the help from a little gelatin." - New York Press
"After the match all the girls felt exhausted, but empowered (like the feeling you get when you watch the 'Charlie's Angel's' movie- watching fabulous females fighting evil and kicking some badguy ass.) Really makes ya wanna be a Rockstar Fighter Chick and change the world!" Uncoolkids.com
Thursday, July 05, 2007
A-Rod Alert
A-Rod was not in today's Yankee game and is scheduled to have an MRI. Fingers crossed. The Yankees need A-Rod on the DL like they need a hole in their head.
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