 Monday, July 16, 2007
Welcome to Kiner's Korner
No, it's not Channel 9 or 11 on your television but everyone is invited to Kiner's Korner for Ralph Kiner Night at Shea Stadium. For the uninitiated, Kiner's Korner is the Mets post-game show where Ralph interviewed the star of game.
The Mets really threw a great celebration for Ralph on Saturday night at Shea. Ernie Harwell, Ed Kranepool, Bud Harrelson, Rusty Staub, Jerry Koosman, Keith Hernandez, Bob Feller, Yogi Berra, and Tom Seaver were among the legends who showed up to pay tribute. During the game, the left field television screen showed video tributes from fellow legends like Harry Kalas of the Phillies, Vin Scully of the Dodgers, and Jon Miller of the Giants.
As great as broadcaster that he was for the past 45 years, Ralph was a Hall of Fame player with 369 home runs in ten seasons in a career that was cut short by back injuries. He had 50 plus home runs in two seasons which was unheard of in his day. He had more home runs on a per at bat basis since Babe Ruth. All this while playing on some pretty bad Pittsburgh Pirates teams.
When it was his turn to take the stage, Ralph told Casey Stengel stories including the first show where Casey didn't remove his microphone and pulled down the stage set as he walked off the set. In the Mets first few seasons, they lost the first nine, eight, and seven games, respectively, and were rained out in first three games of the fourth season. However, before the end of the 1960s, the Mets reached the Promised Land with a World Championship in 1969.
The Mets gave Ralph and his wife a cruise to anywhere in the world they wanted. MC Howie Rose thanked him for being the "soundtrack of summer." Ralph dreamed of being a major league ball player since he was seven years old. He thanked everyone for making that dream possible and making his broadcasting career a success. Ralph's legacy will live on as the current television booth at Shea and the future television booth at the new Citi Field will be named after him.
After the memorable pre-game ceremony in perfect weather, Tom Glavine pitched a two-hitter gem and the Mets won 2-1. A perfect ending to a memorable evening.
Posted by the Tank reporting Live from Shea Stadium in Queens, NY.
Sunday, July 15, 2007
298
Tom Glavine took one more step towards history last night. Throwing an 8 inning two hitter, Glavine left in the top of the 8th with the game tied 1-1. Luckily for Glavine, the annoying and arrogant immature Lastings Milledge game through with an RBI hit to make Ralph Kiner night a memorable one. Glavine pitches again on Thursday against the LA Dogers for 299, then hopefully goes for #300 home at Shea. Posted By Steve in New York
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Clear up the Madness, Joe's not a racist!
Gary Sheffield was traded last year by the Yankees because he is a bit crazy and an outspoken drama queen. Yesterday he reminded us why he was traded away: he shoots his mouth. Yesterday in an interview to air on HBO on Tuesday, Sheff contented that Yankees' manager Joe Torre is a racist. Players who stop producing, or in Sheff's case, whine and complain about not being treated like a king, will pull the race card as a last resort. This reminds me of George Foster in 1986 when he had like 1 home run in 40 games stating that Davey Johnson was a raciest. Joe Torre, a fellow St. Francis Prep alumni, a manager of the Mets for 5 seasons and 12 with the Yankees, is not a raciest. Nothing in his behavior with 17 years on baseball's largest stage, indicates it. No other players have ever come forward with a complaint. Just Gary Sheffield. In fact most players who played under Joe Torre have come out to defend him. Steve and the Tank to Gary Sheffield: GROW UP! You are 38 years old and have been playing professional baseball in the big leagues for 19 seasons. You are a veteran and you should act like one. You complain that everything wrong in your life is not his fault. You are paid good money to play the game and keep your mouth shut. Posted by Steve in New York.
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.
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