The Twins signed first basemen Justin Morneau to a huge six year, $80 million contract, according to MLB.com, and Michael Cuddyer for $24 million for three years according to the Seattle Times.  What does that mean for Johan Santana?  The possibilities include:

(1) Staying with the Twins.  This is not likely unless the cheapstake Twins ownership may not spend the money.  Mr. Pohlad is worth $3.1 billion and is the 114th richest person in America according to Forbes.  Muckety.com does a great job of detailing Mr. Pohlad's assets, holdings, and connections.  Mr. Pohlad was so cheap that he able to convince the state of Minnesota to pay for a new stadium.  But, hey, the rich stay rich is by using other people's money (OPM).

(2) The new GM has taken his time, as he should, to get the most value for Santana.  It's hard to argue because the Mets may have to part with five of their best seven minor league products.  However, with each passing day, Santana's value diminishes.  He has to be dealt by the trade deadline, or he will probably lost to free agency.    

Will the Twins pay Santana or trade him?  If Omar doesn't pull the trigger on this deal, it's time for Steve to be the next Mets GM.  Pitchers and catchers are less than three weeks away.

Posted by The Tank in NY.

At the semi-finals at the Australian Open down in Melbourne Park, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic had a rematch of the US Open Finals from September 2007. Steve and the Tank predicted Djokovic in that finals, but the young Serb, who had two different set points, cracked under the pressure. Not this time. Federer lost to the #3 ranked Serb 7-5, 6-3, 7-6 (5) in the Australian Open semifinals Friday. Federer had reached 10 straight Grand Slam finals, and won 19 matches in a row at the Australian Open. Thus ends a streak that seemed like it would never end.

"I've created a monster that I need to win every tournament," Federer said. "Still, the semifinals isn't bad."

Not that bad at all.

"I am just very amazed I coped with the pressure today," the 20-year-old Djokovic said. "In the most important moments, I played my best tennis. It's just amazing, indescribable, to beat the No. 1 player of the world, one of the best players this sport has ever had, in straight sets."

With the victory, Novak Djokovic advances to the finals against unseeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who beat No. 2 Rafael Nadal in the other semifinal, in the final Sunday. 

Posted by Steve in New York.

David Wright, Steve's favorite player, was in New Hyde Park, Long Island, yesterday for a charity event.  He was asked by WNBC Channel 4 in New York about a variety of topics including steroids and the Super Bowl.  When asked who he is rooting for, David joins Steve and The Tank in rooting for the Giants.
                      
Will the Giants set a precedent for the Mets success this year?  For instance, the 1986 Mets World Series victory may have given momentum to the Giants who won the Super Bowl a few months later.  Will the Giants return the favor to the Mets in 2008?  Time will only tell.  Stay tuned to Steve and The Tank.

Posted by The Tank in NY.

None other than Senator George Mitchell.  Yes, I was trying to enter an elevator as he was exiting an adjoining elevator to the law firm where he works and I interviewed yesterday.  He appeared to be surprised that I knew him but you know I know who he is.  Our conversation was brief, polite, and respectful. 

As I had just said goodbye to the person interviewing me, I had my camera but did not get a photo as to not jeopardize getting the job as I was unsure if the interviewer was still within hearing range.  However, if hired, I will get a photo with him and of course, work on clearing Roger Clemens. 

Posted by The Tank reporting live from Midtown Manhattan.

You were warned months ago about the pending Boston Sports Apocalypse where the Red Sox, Patriots, and Celtics win their respective titles in the same sports year.

Steve and The Tank were recently joined by ESPN.com in describing Boston sports teams recent dominance. 

Whatever your faith, please repent and pray that the Giants beat the Patriots.  Go Giants!  May God/G-d/Allah/Buddha/Creator be with you. 

Posted by a repenting and prayerful Tank in NY.

 

The New York Giants shock Green Bay and take an improbable ride to the Super Bowl. While Eli looked better than normal, the Giants defense came up big as well. This is going to be the key to defeating the Patriots, the Giants need to blitz Brady. The Chargers made Brady look vulnerable yesterday in the AFC Championship game. The Patriots can be defeated, the Giants proved that in the last game of the season. A rematch of week 16 in two weeks. The Patriots are favored by 14 points against the Giants at Las Vegas sports books already.

All of New York will be rooting for the Giants, even Jets fans, since we are now united by a hatred of the Patriots who are going to their 4th Super Bowl in 7 years. It is now New York vs the Boston sports machine.

Posted by Steve in Vilnius, Lithuania. (Warmer than both New York and Green Bay)

Disco Crisco Twister
The New, Fun, Coed Game Tournament!

Be our friend at www.myspace.com/discocriscotwister
With songs that you can download!

Next Event: Sunday, January 20th, 2008 @ 7-10PM
Live at Arlene's Grocery
95 Station Street (between Ludlow & Allen), NYC.
Subway: F to 2nd Ave.

See some of the people coming to the show at going.com

More Info on the Events Page....

Buy advance tickets on PayPal for only $5!

Last Week's Picks: I was 2-2 last week and 33-13 on the season.

This Week's Fearless Picks: 

The Patriots beat the visiting Chargers: This is already a tall mountain to climb, higher than Everest Base Camp that Steve and I plan to climb this later year (touch wood).  It will be even higher as the Chargers best players (Gates, Rivers, LT, etc.) are injured or out.  That said, I plan to root for the "San Diego Super Chargers".  This is a reference to the fight song from the great Charger teams of yesteryear.  The best game I ever watched on TV was the Chargers losing at the Dolphins in the early 1980s.  Kellen Winslow Sr. blocked a field goal, caught passes, and had to be carried off the field from exhaustion. 

The Giants lose at the Packers: This promises to be a classic in historic Lambeau Field.  From the weather reports this week, I thought I was watching the Weather Channel.

The Giants have to run the ball effectively to set up the pass.  Eli has to adjust to wearing a glove on his left and non throwing hand.

The game will probably come down to a slip or fall on a key play on the snowy and cold turf of Lambeau Field.  It maybe one of the banged up Giants defensive backs but life is rarely fair.

The Giants can win this game by blitzing Favre.  Speaking of the gunslinger, I am rooting for Favre to ride out into the sunset on his horse.        

I agree whole heartedly with Steve, football should be played outdoors (AND on grass -- not astroturf), baseball should have retractable roofs for rain delays (like Seattle -- note to Yankees and Mets).          
            
Posted by an excited Tank in Football Heaven.

The New York sports world lost Brian Leites over the holidays. He was never on the back page, he was never making headlines, but he did participate in every professional sporting event in the tri-state area over the last 25 years. He witnessed several World Series (even one won by the Mets!) and other great moments. Most likely if you have been to a Mets, Yankees, Jets, Giants, Devils, Knicks, Nets, Rangers, or Islanders game, you know him. He most likely sold you a hot dog or a beer.

Brian was a mentally challenged (I believe is the PC term) individual. He supported himself by working as a vendor at all of the sporting events with a smile and great attitude. I met him 20 years when I was 16 years old and stared working at Shea Stadium selling hot dogs. He put his arm around me when the Mets lost to the LA Dodgers in the 1988 NLCS and said "Wait 'till Next Year!" with his signature smile. Since I go to a ton of games, the Tank and I saw him quite often at games.

Unfortunately Brian took his own life over the holidays. He does not have much of a family, but the entire New York sports community is his family. So over this weekend, raise a glass in his memory. I'm sure he sold you several times over the years.

 

Posted by Steve in New York