 Sunday, September 02, 2007
What we learned from Appalachian State
When Appalachian State defeated #5 Michigan yesterday many people were in awe. Steve and the Tank want to remind everyone that when a complete underdog in a totally outgunned match wins, it is a day for rejoicing. It is a day that creates legend and more importantly hope. Hope for every team, when down to the last strike like the 1986 Mets, their backs against the wall down 3 games to 0 like the 2004 Red Sox or completely outgunned like Appalachian State yesterday, that anything is possible. That is the power of sports. Posted by Steve in New York
Saturday, September 01, 2007
College Football Preview
This weekend marks the beginning of one of the best weekends of the year -- college football. Boo yeah! Don't get me wrong, I love pro football too but the rivalries make college football great. Army-Navy, Michigan-Ohio State, Notre Dame-USC, and the list goes on and on. The alumni stoke the flames of passion for each team and pass the torch from one generation to the next. Pro football has rivalries but free agency and teams moving, i.e. Colts from Baltimore to Indy and Browns became Ravens has dimmed those flames. The great Cleveland fans had to wait for years for a team to reclaim the Browns name. Former Browns owner Art Modell's safety is not a certainty within Cleveland city limits. Back to college football. There are many exciting storylines. Will Florida repeat? No. Can Ohio State reload? Yes but has to close at Michigan and plays Wisconsin. Will Notre Dame contend for a national championship? Not yet, they need another season or two for Coach Charlie Weiss to get the players he wants. Notre Dame has one of the toughest if not the toughtest schedules in the country. I am not sure how they are going to do until they face Penn State. How is their defensive speed? Next is Michigan. USC visits in October. You never know about the luck of the Irish. JH will throw a parade if the Irish win. Local Outlook: Through prayer and deep thought in the past year or so, I have let most of my anti-Jersey feelings go. (I am still upset about the Jets moving to the Meadowlands but understand the business that is the NFL.). Steve's girlfriend Kathleen has asked for coverage of Rutgers. Since Steve is like a brother to me, I am adopting Kathleen as the little sister that I never had. Shhhh! Don't tell her yet because she says she doesn't read the blog. I'll break the news to her when I stop by Studio 86 for our next podcast.  Anyhoo, here goes: Rutgers: The stars may line up for an undefeated season for the Scarlet Knights. They win their first seven games. Beware of the Maryland trap game on September 29. They get a chance to avenge last year's 41-39 defeat at Morgantown. (BTW, I picked the Mountaineers to win because of home field advantage.). The Scarlet Knights will try to return the favor. The Scarlet Knights should run the table until they finish the regular season on November 29 at Louisville. Revenge is on the Scarlet Knights mind but Louisville is at home so I give them the edge. But check back in late November for the ending. If he stays healthy, RB Ray Rice will finish in the top five of the Heisman Trophy balloting. Syracuse: As rosy as the outlook is for Rutgers, the opposite is true for my beloved Orangemen. Third year coach Greg Robinson is starting to get the players for his West Coast set. We'll see what QB Andrew Robinson has. At best, I hope to save face with five or six wins but probably more like three or four. Keep the faith! Let's Go Orange! BTW, if West Virginia, Louisville, or Rutgers survive without a loss, their BCS ranking may not be as high as other conferences but will get a Dark Horse chance if Big Ten, SEC, or other major conferences all have one or two losses. Other Conferences: Speaking of the SEC, who will win it? Wow! That's a tough one because it's the best football conference in the country no doubt about it. Florida is defending champs but LSU has home field advantage on October 6. But can they win the SEC Championship Game against Florida on a neutral site? No. National Championship: I think Florida's basketball/football/Dancing With the Stars Championship Magic strikes midnight. Heisman Trophy favorite QB John David Booty and USC end the Gators dreams 27 to 20. (Disclosure: While travelling in Hawai'i for San Diego Rich's wedding on July 7, one of the guys in the wedding party ran into USC Coach Pete Carroll at a local hangout and was a pretty cool guy. I was unfortunately battling severe sun burn/poisoning -- all in less than an hour with SPF 30 on my fair skin to meet Coach Carroll. Darn it!) Enjoy the magic of college football! Written by an excited and traveling Tank and posted by Steve.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Sweep!
The race for the NL and AL East Division titles took a good turn for the Yankees and a bad turn for the Mets. The Yankees made a statement. The swept the division leading Boston Red Sox to pull within in 5 games-an amount a second place team can apparently make up in only 5 days-see below. The Yankees also improved to a 1 game lead over Seattle for the Wild Card, but we all know that after the sweep the Yankees will be sitting on top of the AL East come the end of the season. On the other hand, the Phillies made a statement too. They are not down, and they are not to be dismissed. The Mets lost four straight to be swept by the second place Phillies. Two games were won in dramatic walk off fashion (Mets style!). While they showed some signs of life, the Mets were killed and along with it their chances of an easy cruse to wining the NL East. While the Mets still hold a slim lead, 2 games, Philly gained 5 games in 5 games. As we roll into September, the Mets chances look bleaker and bleaker and the Yankees chances, look stronger and stronger. Have faith New York fans. The Red Sox always collapse and hand the division over to the Yankees in mid-September. While the Mets have significant bullpen issues (subject of a future analysis) the Phillies have a worse bullpen. As we head into September, both teams are playing meaningful games for a playoff spot. Anything can happen-good or bad. One thing is for sure, it will be exciting to watch. Posted by Steve in New York.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Will Ronjon Root for the Yankees or Red Sox?
From yesterday's post, you know that the Tank roots for the Yankees and Mets. How is that possible you ask? I am joined at the Stadium by Ronjon, my friend since kindergarten. As a amateur historian and computer geek, I dislike the term "back in the day" because it is historically imprecise and technically vague. What year, decade, or even century I ask? Therefore, Ronjon and I were in kindergarten in 1975. I'm keeping it real. (I don't care if I am 37. I want to live until 100 so I am a little over a third of the way there.) Like me, Ronjon grew up a Yankees fan but became a Red Sox fan during college in Boston. Noooooo! Our lifelong friendship was tested like never before and I probably took it too personally. I asked myself what I did to cause Ronjon to root for the Red Sox. As usually, I was over ANALytical and hard on myself and Ronjon which I apologized to him for. Times change and so do people but Ronjon is always welcome to root for the Yankees. I use the blog to work through my Issue of the Day/Year/Life/AfterLife/etc. Hey, it's cheaper than therapy.
Anyhoo, reunion night continues as I am reunited with my Bleacher Creature brethren in the Right Field Bleachers. When I tried to buy my ticket plan tickets earlier this year, Ticketmaster's servers rebooted eleven of my 20 games ended up in the Left Field instead of Right Field Bleachers.
Pedoria was hit by a pitch but caught stealing second. Big Papi thankfully flew out.
Damon grounded out to first. Jeter doubles. The scoreboard in left field flashes Angels 8 - Mariners 2. Yess! We have a chance to tie for the Wild Card if we win. Abreu pops up. A-Rod called out on strikes. Yankees 0 - Red Sox 0.
Police escorted two Red Sox fans to their seats and it's only the first inning. The Yankees fans that were harassing them were ejected in the top of the second.
Drew and Varitek walk on eight consecutive balls. Ron Guidry comes out to talk to Clemens. Coco Crisp grounds out to Giambi. No harm, no foul, thank God. Still scoreless after the top of the second.
Sir Paul McCartney is shown on the screen in right center field as Matsui comes to the plate. Our Japanese friends with the Matsui Godzilla sign are up. Matsui struck out. Posada singles. Giambi pops up in foul territory near the Yankee dugout. Cano walked. Cabrera singled Posada home. "Tienes Leche?" "Got Milk?" the sign displays. The Melkman thankfully delivers. Yankees 1 - Red Sox 0. On a wild pitch to Damon, Cabrera advances to second. Damon works a full count. After fouling off a pitch, Damon singles home Posada and Cabrera. Yankees 3 - Red Sox 0. Jeter hits a nubber to the mound and Beckett throws it away. Jeter and Damon advance to second and third. Abreu grounds out to end the inning. At the end of three, Yankees 3 - Red Sox 0.
As I went to the restroom, Ronjon reported that Kevin Bacon was shown on the big screen in right center.
Hinske walks to open the third. Lugo grounded out to Giambi. Pedroia bunted to Clemens and Hinske advances to third. Big Papi flews out to Damon on the warning track in left center. Whew!
A-Rod singled to left but thrown out after rounding the base too far. Darn it! Matsui works a full count and hit a triple to left center past a diving Coco Crisp. Tardy Red Sox fans are booed as they get to their seats. Better late than never I guess. Posada struck out. Giambi struck out to end the inning.
Kevin Bacon is shaking his head to the "Footloose" theme blasting over the speakers. The guy to my right "secretly" tells me that Clemens has a no hitter. OMG!
Cano grounds out. Cabrera hits an infield single to the second baseman as Beckett was late covering first. Nice. Damon flies out to shortstop. Cabrera is caught stealing as Jeter is at the plate. Yankees 3 - Red Sox 0 through four innings.
Penny Marshall is shown on the screen as the "Laverne and Shirley" theme is playing on the screen.
Varitek walks. Crisp strikes out swinging. Hinske flies out to Cabrera. Lugo grounds out to A-Rod.
Jeter struck out. Abreu hit an infield single in the area between the catcher, the pitcher, and first baseman. While the Cowbellman is cranking out a beat, A-Rod unfortunately grounds out into a double play to end the inning.
Disco Stu may not be Kevin Bacon or Sir Paul McCartney but he's got spirit. Ronjon and other fans think that Disco Stu's dancing is wrong. Hey, it's a free country.
Pedroia flies out to deep right center in front of Ronjon and me. Big Papi hits a monster shot in what appeared to be a foul ball but broke up Clemens no hitter in the top of the sixth. Darn it! Lowell's ball goes off Clemens' glove, Cano recovers and gets the out. Youkilis walks. Drew singled to right and Pedroia advanced to third. The infield meets at the mound with Pitching Coach "Louisiana Lightning" Ron Guidry. Varitek grounds out to Cano to thankfully end the threat. Yankees 3 - Red Sox 1.
Matsui flew out to Drew who almost dropped it. Posada singled to right center. Giambi singled to right center. Cano flew out to left. Phillips pinch ran for Giambi as Beckett convenes what feels like his 50th meeting of the game at the mound. Cabrera hits an infield single to Lugo whose Jeteresque throw almost gets Cabrera out. Damon is up with the bases loaded. He grounds out and slides into first.
Jeter flew out. Abreu struck out. As Ronjon was fading from jetlag (just came in from Switzerland), he snores and says "I want some action". A split later, A-Rod hit a home run to left. Go A-Rod! Thanks Ronjon! Welcome back to the Yankee family brother! I have closure on this issue! Yankees 4 - Red Sox 1. Javier Lopez is the new pitcher for the Red Sox. Matsui singled to left. Posada walked. Mike Timlin came in from the bullpen.
"She's going to get her boyfriend's @ss kicked," Ronjon astutely observes as a blonde Red Sox fan banters with some Yankees fans about five rows in front of us.
Phillips almost gets hit. A big sign in the upper deck reads "The Andy Man Can". Nice. The crowd cheers in the opposite deck as a fight breaks out.
Phillips pops up to Youkilis. At the end of seven, Yankees 4 - Red Sox 1.
Farnsworth is in to pitch to Big Papi who flies out on 3-2 to Cabrera. Lowell singles to center. Youkilis hits a two run shot to left. Yankees 4 - Red Sox 3. "We want Joba!" some fans chant but this is his rest day. Mariano started to warm up as Farnsworth pitched to Drew. Drew thankfully struck out. Varitek walked. So long Farnsworthless.
Ronjon smiles as Mariano's "Enter Sandman" blares over the speakers. Mariano gets Crisp to ground on three pitches thank God!
Take no chances. A tie in the Wild Card and drawing closer in the AL East is on the line.
Timlin is still pitching. Cano grounded out to Lugo. Cabrera poped up to Lowell. Damon flew out to center to end the eighth. Yankees 4 - Red Sox 3.
Hinske grounds out to Mariano. Lugo grounds out to A-Rod. Pedroia is out! Ballgame over. The Yankeeessss win!
With the Seattle 8-2 loss to Anaheim, the Yankees are now tied for the Wild Card with the Mariners. Only six games behind in the AL East with four head-to-head and 29 games left.
Posted by an excited Tank live from Yankee Stadium in the Boogie Down Bronx.
Postscript: The Yankees thankfully swept the series Thursday afternoon as I was editing this post thanks to a great pitching performance from Wang. Wang took a no-hitter into the seventh. As I write and post this, the Yankees are five games back in the AL East and own a half game lead in the Wild Card going into the Mariners playing at Cleveland tonight. Keep the faith!
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Do or Die for Yankees and Mets this Week
The National League and American League East will be decided this week. The Mets play 7 games against the second place Phillies and 3rd place Braves and the Yankees play 3 against Boston. Forget about magic numbers. Forget about all the rest, I don't care that there are more games between these teams and clinches should be done in the last week in September. Now is the time. The Mets are in the drivers seat, the East is theirs to lose. Despite a loss last night, if they split the series with Philly and take 2 from the Braves, the Mets will be in position where it is almost impossible to catch up, unless there is a major collapses. (I wont say a major injury since the entire team except Wright and Reyes were injured at one point.) While the Yanks have a wild card race on with Seattle, we really want to see them take the East from Boston. This will strike fear into their opponents in the playoffs and set up a better home field advantage than a wild card. So the Yankees have to win the next 3 games. While they will still be 5 games out, it will make a statement. The statement of we're playing for keeps. We'll see what the week brings. Posted by Steve in New York.
Monday, August 27, 2007
The Power of Cheers
Last year I got on the Mets fans who booed Carlos Beltran on Opening Day and A-Rod all year. On Thursday night, the Mets gave a game away to San Diego. In the bottom of the 9th Carlos Delgado was up with two outs and the bases loaded and did not produce. I was at the game on Friday and by then he went 0-17 and was starting to get booed. I believe in the power of cheer when a talented player is struggling. NY fans are usually all about the boos. But something happened on Saturday. Carlos Delgado came up with two outs in the bottom of the 5th with runners in scoring position, a chance to break open the game. He was in an 0-19 slump. A fan of NY sports for 35 years, I expected to hear the boos. Something different happened. Something so special, it made me question if I was as really in New York. Maybe it was the power of the Tank at the game, I don't know. But instead of boos, there was a standing ovation. A show of support! NY fans NEVER do that!!! When asked later on Carlos said: "I wasn't sure if it was for me." The show of support worked, Carlos got the key hit on the first pitch and the Mets won. I hope the NY fans learned a lesson on Saturday, the power of Cheers over the power of Boos. Save the boos for Jeff Kent and the members of each team that we hate. Posted by Steve in New York (really?)
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Meeting Torrie Wilson and El Duque Decks the Dodgers
Medford Bob joins me for the sweltering summer day at Shea. They don't
call them the dog days of summer for nothing.
I was running late since I had to do a favor for my sister, brother-in-law, and nephew to get tickets for their first ever Yankees game. My sister is almost as last minute as Rochester Mike. Moreover, I was late after meeting WWE superstars Torrie Wilson and Chris Matthews in Midtown. We are pictured below.
El Duque is on the mound for los Mets versus Stokes who walked three in the first. Delgado is up with two outs. The Mets are the only team in MLB without a grand slam this season according to Fox TV which I am listening to on my uber geeky FM/AM/TV/Weather with MP3 player. That trend continues as Delgado grounds out to a chorus of boos to end the first.
Alomar throws out two runners in two innings. Martin draws a walk.
Reyes singles to start the third. Milledge grounds out but Reyes advances to third. DW singles and Reyes scores. Beltran singles to short. Conine strikes out. Delgado pops up to second to another chorus of boos. Mets 1 - Dodgers 0.
DW singles with two outs in the fifth. Beltran singles and DW advances to third. Adam Sandler leads the "Let's Go Mets" chant as Conine approaches the plate. (Like the Tank, Sandler is a Yankees fan who also roots for the Mets.) Beltran advances to second on no throw. Stults then intentionally walks Conine. DW motions towards home to try to get Stults to balk. Delgado breaks his 0-19 stretch with the bases loaded single pictured below.
He singles home DW and Beltran. "Mister Delgado" plays to the tune of Styx's classic "Mr. Roboto". I betcha Steve's girlfriend Kathleen likes Styx more than she admits to. She busted my chops for going to a Styx, Reo Speedwagon, and Journey concert four years ago. The Dodgers bring in Seanez to face Alomar who strikes out to end the inning. Mets 3 - Dodgers 0 at the end of the fifth.
Alomar makes a great catch on Sweeney's pop-up behind home plate and lands in the netting. Furcal singles to end eleven consecutive outs for El Duque and only the second hit of the game. Pierre strikes out to end the sixth.
Rudy Seanez is the new Dodgers pitcher and gets Gotay, El Duque, and Jose out in order.
Gonzalez hit what looked like a fly out to right center for the Dodgers third hit and first run. Martin hits a home run to left. Mets pitching coach Rick Peterson talks to El Duque and gets Kemp to strikeout on his 103rd pitch. Get up and stretch, Mets 3 - Dodgers 2.
DW singles with one out. Beltran strikes out. Conine doubles to left center and DW scores as he was running on the pitch. Beimel relieves Hernandez as "Mister Delgado" flies out to the warning track in right. Mets 4 - Dodgers 2.
Hillebrand hits a ball to right which Milledge tries to catch but misses. Hillebrand advances to third. Hillebrand scores on a ground out to first. Furcal singles with one out. Pierre grounds out into an inning ending double play. Mets 4 - Dodgers 3.
You know what time it is. Time for Neil Diamond's classic "Sweet Caroline" before the bottom of the eighth.
Jonathan Broxton gets Feliciano to ground out. Gotay grounds out. Anderson pinch hits for Feliciano and also grounds out to end the eighth.
No "Enter Sandman". What? No, Billy Wanger. Heilman is introduced to boos and a few cheers. Ethier flies out to center. The ever dangerous Jeff Kent singles to center. The even more dangerous Luis Gonzalez comes to the plate and works a 3-0 count. I am nervous and about to throw up. He hits a game ending double double play. Whew, because the Mets had relievers warming up in the bullpen and I was about to hurl.
The Mets are "Takin' care of business" and beat the Dodgers 4-3.
As I exit Shea, I criticize the vendors for selling "Brooklyn Dodgers" t-shirts. And you think I have issues. OK, I do but let it go people. The Dodgers stabbed you in the back 50 years ago and went west. Hasta la vista, good riddance, and don't let the door hit you know where.
Posted by the Tank reporting live from Shea Stadium in Flushing,
Queens.
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