 Monday, February 25, 2008
Will John Maine win 20 games?
John Maine went 15-10 last year with 191 innings and a 3.91 ERA. He was the best pitcher in September and had a few games taken away from him by the bullpen. According to the NY Daily News Billy Wagner said yesterday: "He can win 20," Billy Wagner said. "Heck, he could have won 20 last year if the bullpen had helped a little more and he didn't let an inning get away from him here and there. Johnny just needs to believe he's that good, that he can be as good as guys like Glavine, Maddux and Smoltz, because we've all seen how he can go out and dominate." John Maine was a different pitcher in 2007 than in 2006 when he started Games 1 of the NLDS and must win Game 6 of the NLCS. Those experiences matured him and propelled him to start the home opener in 2007 as well as pitch near perfect in April very well during the September collapse. If you remember the day before Tom Glavine gave away the farm, Maine pitched 7.2 innings of 1 hit ball, walking only 2 and striking out 14. This was a must win game and Maine brought his A game. A serious win in the clutch. In 2006 Carlos Beltran performed much better than in 2005. The reason? Carlos Delgado arrived and took a lot of pressure off Beltran. I think you can see the same thing happen with Santana. Santana can reduce the pressure on Maine and allow him to shine. Plus with a better pitching staff in 2008 then 2007 and a slightly upgraded bullpen, the bullpen should be less worn down and can save more wins for Maine. Pitching wins pennants. If Santana and Maine both flirt with 20 game seasons, Pedro says healthy, and Oliver Perez earns his raise and wins 17 games or so, you can see a very good 1 through 4 punch. Posted by Steve in New York
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Mets-Phillies Rivalry is boring
Yankees-Red Sox is a rivalry. Mets Phillies is just plain old boring. While the players are talking trash, there is just not enough history involved nor any real bad blood. They players should keep their mouths shut and focus on playing the game, why add additional pressure that is not necessary. Posted by Steve in New York
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Where is the arrest warrant for Roger Clemens?
Roger Clemens testified under oath to the US Congress that he did not attend a party in 1998 at Jose Canseco's house. Not only did he deny it he claimed to have proof by showing the world his golf receipts. He also claimed that this was proof that Brian McNamee was not only a liar but out to destroy Roger. Now a photo has surfaced of Roger Clemens at the party. In addition, his lawyer is backtracking already: "Roger was playing golf at the time of the party, and has stated that he may have stopped by the Canseco house after playing golf before heading to the ballpark for the game," read Rusty Hardin's statement. Time for Roger Clemens to go to jail. Posted by Steve waiting for Roger Clemens to go to jail.
Friday, February 22, 2008
King James' New Court Jesters
LeBron James got some much needed help on Thursday before the NBA Trade Deadline. The Cavs got Ben Wallace, Wally Szczerbiak, Joe Smith, Delmonte West, and a draft pick in a three team trade with the Seattle Sonics and Chicago Bulls according to NBA.com. Are you kidding me? This is legalized theft. OMG! Unbelievable. I am speechless.
In other news, I am happy for Bobby Jackson who has another chance to contend with the Houston Rockets. (I like the Hornets but this can help the Rockets escape the first round.) The Rockets just won their tenth game in a row and got even better with Bobby. I met Bobby at the Garden after a Kings-Knicks game in 2002. He was a really nice guy. Good luck Bobby!
I don't follow Portland and Seattle that closely because their games aren't broadcast that often here in the City. But, watch out for these teams in the future. Portland beat Seattle on Thursday night on TNT and is only 4.5 games out of the 8th spot in the Western Conference. This is without the injured Greg Oden. How scary will they be when he is healthy? Don't sleep on Seattle. Their record isn't that good now but they will be getting some draft picks plus veterans like Barry and Elson from San Antonio. Watch when they start to gel with Rookie of the Year candidate Kevin Durrant.
The NBA has to make a change. Since the Western Conference is so good, I have to agree with TNT analyst Reggie Miller that the Top 16 NBA teams, NOT eight from the East and eight from the West make the playoffs. It's just not fair to deserving teams like Portland and Seattle in a couple of years.
Bottom Line: I am so happy for King James. The Cavs now have enough to beat the Pistons and/or the Celtics, touch wood, and anyone who survives in the Western Conference. I am even happier than I was yesterday. I am coming out of my steroid and HGH blues. Woooo!
Posted by The Tank in Basketball Heaven.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Shaq's Suns Debut "Eclipsed" by the Lakers
Shaquille O'Neal played his first game with the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night against the visiting LA Lakers. Former teammate Kobe Bryant ruined Shaq's Suns debut with 41 points and the Lakers "eclipsed" the Suns 130-124.
Wednesday also happened to be a solar eclipse of the moon by the sun. I viewed it about 10:30 p.m. Wednesday evening. NYC isn't the best place to see celestial sightings because of all of the lights but it was still pretty cool.
Where Do We Go From Here: Wow! Tough one.
It is going to be a great stretch run for the NBA. Only 4.5 games separate seeds 1 through 8 in the Western Conference. Everyone tried to make moves to improve themselves like the Lakers getting Pau Gasol from Grizzlies, the Suns getting Shaq from the Heat, the Spurs getting former Sonic (and Knick) Kurt Thomas, and the Mavs getting Jason Kidd from the Nets.
I think the Mavs and the Nets got better from the trade. The Mavs window to contend for a championship is closing. (Their best chance was being up 2-0 against the Heat in the 2006 Finals but we all know how that ended up.) The Nets benefitted because they got rid of someone who didn't want to be there anymore, Jason Kidd. Kidd is a great talent but his off the court (migraine) and other issues are well documented. He's going to the Hall of Fame but it wasn't cool how he left. The Nets got two first round draft picks, Devin Harris, DeSagana Diop, Trenton Hassell, Maurice Ager, and $3 million in cash. Keith Van Horn hasn't played since 2006 but was included to balance the salaries. Don't expect Keith to play as he didn't officially retire but been spending time with his family and building his businesses. He is going to get $4.3 million for not playing. Hey, not bad work if you can get it. God bless and good luck Keith!
As for the Knicks, ugh is pretty much all I can say. No one wants their players and their huge contracts. The Knicks and the Eastern Conference is so bad that you can take any five people and be a playoff contender in the Eastern Conference. For instance, "No Tip Vic" and I talked a couple years ago about fielding a team with his wife Michele and their two young children. We would beat the Knicks and probably be competitive with some other teams in the Eastern Conference. (BTW, "No Tip Vic" is a good person but he got his nickname from Brooklyn Brian and Brooklyn Pete after he didn't tip a waitress a couple of years ago at Ulysses, a Wall Street area bar/restaurant. Come on bro, get with the program.)
Anyway, enjoy the stretch run. Watch recovery from key injuries. When will Bynam return to the Lakers? Will Parker be 100 percent? How will Kobe's hand hold up? How will Shaq's hip hold up? I am still sticking with my pre-season picks of a Spurs-Celtics Finals because the Spurs have the best coach in Popovich and the veterans. As much as I like Doc Rivers, KG, and some of the other Celtics as human beings, I can't root for the team for obvious reasons. Good luck everyone except the Celtics!
Posted by The Tank somewhere between the Moon and New York City.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Happy Birthday Steve!
Today marks Steve's birthday and I think he is celebrating it in Egypt.
For my birthday last year, Steve offered to shave my head like David Wright. I won't do that to Steve. However, if he wants to contribute hair from his next haircut to my upcoming hair transplant, I would greatly appreciate it. 
Wherever you are bro, I hope you enjoy the day!
Posted by The Tank in NY.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Manchester United Versus Arsenal
JH, Tony, and I got together at Clancy's on 52nd and 2nd this past Saturday to watch an important match, Manchester United versus Arsenal in the fifth round of the FA Cup. It was a pleasant distraction from steroids and preparing taxes.
For the uninitiated, Man U versus Arsenal is like Yankees versus the Red Sox. In fact, Man U had a cross sport marketing agreement a few years ago with the Yankees and NJ Nets.
Tony and I bonded instantly as we are both Man U fans. JH is a great person and friend but is an Arsenal fan. However, we agree on watching world class soccer.
J.S. Park missed on a cross at 13 minutes. Darn it!
Rooney finished on a header at the 16th minute. Man U 1 - Arsenal 0. Yeah!
No one likes Lehmann, the Arsenal goalie. He's a dirty player.
"Your steak and eggs are ready!" the bartender yelled from the bar. Hey, I have to eat too.
Fletcher scored on a header from Nani in the 20th minute. Man U 2 - Arsenal 0.
We had a spirited discussion of SWAGS - Soccer Wives And Girlfriends. In our small and unscientific sample, the French have the best SWAGS in this small sample. J'accord! Agreed!
Rooney couldn't finish on a brilliant cross from Fletcher in the 34th minute. Darn it!
Nani's goal in the 38th minute passed an outstretched Lehmann. Man U 3 - Arsenal 0.
During halftime, I informed Tony of my partial ownership in Ebbsfleet United. My fellow owners and I plan to take Ebbsfleet from the English Fourth Division and take them to the highest heights of global soccer.
We all agree that Nani should stop diving.
Rooney almost added more goals in the 47th and 49th minutes.
Eboue of Arsenal was given a red card foul on Ezra. Ouch! Buh bye.
Not be outdone, Rooney was given a yellow card to Rooney in the 61st minute. Let the ball go Rooney!
As boneheaded as Rooney can be at times, he just missed on the 62nd minute. Nice block by Lehmann. Hey, I am a former goalie and have to call it as I see it.
JH's friend and co-worker Sheila stops by in the 68th minute. Very nice!
Fletcher scored his second goal in the 74th minute. Man U 4 - Arsenal 0.
As the camera pans the crowd, I thought I saw my friend Manchester Sam in the arena. I met Sam at the 2005 Great Wall Marathon.
Adebayor gets a yellow card for a real bad flop in the 76th minute. The announcers were incredulous.
Nani juggles just like they teach at the Brasilian soccer school for kids in Riverdale. Man U won 4-0. Yeah!
Posted by The Tank reporting live from Clancy's on the East side of Manhattan.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Combat in the Cage: 9th Strike, Part 1 of 3
I would like to take this time to note that Steve gave me a t-shirt with a Norwegian saying on the back that his Norwegian friend would not translate for us. However, he did laugh at us a lot. Can one of our Norwegian readers get in touch with me to translate so that I know exactly who I am offending when I wear the shirt? Thanks. OK, on to the battle tales! Fighting was in there air at the Greater Newark Boys' & Girls' Club in Newark, Delaware. I’m not quite sure when they removed Newark from New Jersey and placed it into Delaware but I’ve been to Newark New Jersey and I’m not so sad to see it go. The drive was about 3 hours from Queens NY to Newark DE. 
It felt like 2.5 of those hours were spent getting through the Lincoln Tunnel. I was accompanied by Freddie “Bad Intentions” Barfield, a.k.a. Fred Nice. Fred came to take photos of the fights and of course, the women! We were in Delaware for a night of mixed martial arts (MMA) at Combat in the Cage: 9th Strike. This event was the best event that I have been to in the Combat in the Cage series. The line went around the building and the parking lot was packed out. Thanks to the promoter Ed Hsu, I was able to skip the line and get my press pass. It’s good to know people! There were 21 fights in all and I have to go on a date later so I can’t write them all up today. This will be the Part 1 of 3 and you’ll get the other two parts over the next few days. And yes, my date is very hot! See below: 
Bout 1
Bantamweight (135 lbs)-MMA
Philip Jean
vs.
Andrew Ham Ham opens with a superman punch and then a throws a good knee. Jean gets a takedown. Jean gets off a slam. On the ground, Ham attempts and arm bar. Phil gets a reversal and gets a takedown. Ham throws on a tight kimura lock that forces Jean to tap out. Ham wins by Ude Garami (a.k.a. kimura lock) at 1:54 in round 1. Bout 2
165 lbs-Muay Thai
Suneagle McNeely (Choice MA)-blue
vs.
Malik Kamara (Daddis FC)-red Kamara came out in full Thai garb; a Thai headband, music, and traditional "Whai Ko" ceremony around the cage. I don't know what that translates too but I'm pretty sure its "one who is about to get his teeth knocked into the front row." First round was pretty uneventful. A Weird thing happens right before end of round one; Kamara goes down, gets up holding leg and limps cage side. Must have been a cramp or something. Round 2 starts with McNeely's friend screaming "punch him in the face Sunny." McNeely lands vicious shots, bullying him all over ring, gets a big knockdown. Crowd goes crazy. McNeely stands back up, Kamara gets battered and "Sunny" knocks him out sending Kamara flying across the cage. McNeely wins KO in round 2. Bout 3
150-Muay Thai
Mark Caserta (Jacks Kickboxing)-blue
vs.
Jackson Galka (Daddis FC)-red Galka comes out with the same Thai headband that Malik Kamara was wearing. We all know how that went. I immediately predict he gets abused like one of those contestants on The Moment of Truth. I note to myself that this Thai dance should probably be replaced by a Hulk Hogan like ring entrance to get a better crowd reaction. As the fight starts, I notice something that I've never seen before. Caserta is wearing headgear and Galka is not. I immediately switch my prediction to Caserta. To open round 1, Caserta takes a powerful kick to head. He is so lucky for that headgear. The rest of the round is slow. In between rounds, A "Sponsored by Thaisportgear.com" announcement is made. The guy who owns Thaisportgear.com was sitting right behind me and I give him props for supporting this great event. Round 2 has a lot of Thai clinching going on and is also kind of slow. Round 3 begins with both fighters coming out swinging. Mark gets the better of the exchange. Galka delivers a series of hard knees. Caserta answers with a flurry of hard punches and kicks. As round ends, Galka slams Caserta... Too bad it’s a Muay Thai fight and slams don't count. Caserta wins by split decision. Bout 4
Bantamweight (135)-Muay Thai
Akil Walker (Semper Fi MMA)-blue
vs.
Tim Van Duyke(Jacks Kickboxing)-red Walker mean mugs Van Duyke in the center of the cage and refuses to touch gloves. He looks like someone stole his lunch money when he was 6 and he’s been holding it in inside for all of these years. My moneys on him. The round opens with Van Duyke slamming Walker. Van Duyke throws kick and punch combos. Van Duyke slams him again. Again, keep in mind slams don't count in a Muay Thai fight. Van Duyke has a shirt on and I'm reminded of a fat kid in a pool. What’s up with that? Another first. 
Van Duyke is doing some dirty boxing when the round ends. Round 2 starts with Van Duyke slugging it out. Both guys look very tired. Round 3 begins with a good leg kick by Walker. Van Duyke gets a Thai clinch and lands three vicious knees and a flurry of punches to the head. The ref steps in citing fighter safety. Van Duyke wins at 36 seconds in round 3. TKO by ref stoppage due to strikes. Bout 5
Featherweight (145)-MMA
Anthony Losorelli (Bushi Karate)-blue
vs.
Kyle Jacoby (XFC)-red Anthony comes out to More Human than Human by White Zombie. Kyle comes out to Rage, Killing in the Name... I am all fired up and I want to fight everyone in the event center at the same time. Round 1 opens with Jacoby attempting three takedowns and gets pushed aside like a bull in a bullfight going for the matador and getting the red blanket waved in his face. Jacoby finally gets a takedown. Losorelli throws on a triangle. Losorelli wins! Jacoby gets up with blood pouring out of his nose. Losorelli wins at 1:27 of round 1 by triangle choke. Bout 6
Featherweight (145)-MMA
Josh Rudinski (Primal Fighting)-blue
vs.
Jerome McLane (Simrell MMA)-red McLane comes out to Eminem and gets a huge crowd pop. He lands a flurry of vicious shots to open round 1. The two go down and they fall McLane puts Rudinski in a guillotine and pulls guard. Rudinski has an arm in but the choke is very deep. Josh goes to sleep. It takes him one full minute to wake up with the ref holding him up because he was completely limp. McLane wins at 32 seconds of round 1 by guillotine choke. Bout 7
175-MMA
Charlie Joseph (Renzo Gracie)-blue
vs.
Joe DiFranco (Daddis FC)-red Joseph's nickname is "Fight Monkey". If you think that is funny, go see him and let him know. Wear a helmet, elbow and knee braces, and bring a weapon. Actually, it probably still wouldn't matter. This guy has devastating power as you'll find out in a second. Round 1 is one of the most entertaining rounds I've seen in an MMA fight. "Fight Monkey" Joseph fights with his hands totally down, continuously taunting DiFranco. This is usually not a recommended practice as you leave your chin susceptible to being punched out like Glass Joe in Mike Tyson’s Punch-out. It is very easy to get knocked out like that unless you are extremely talented or extremely luck. Joseph is bobbing and weaving at angles that would be hard to duplicate by most fighters and he kind of reminds me of the boxer Prince Nassim Hamed when he was in his hay day. Joseph keeps knocking DiFranco down, picking his punches with devastating power and accuracy. These are "one and dones" as in after you take one of these punches to the chin, you’re done for the night. Joseph lets DiFranco get up after he knocks him down four times by four separate bombs and Joseph is really swinging for the fences here. Joseph keeps waiving his fingers at DiFranco like Morpheus in The Matrix (fast forward the following link to 1:02)"... Video Here Joseph slips on a guillotine and cinches it in from the guard position. DiFranco taps and afterwards gets up bleeding from his nose. Joseph wins at 1:23 of round 1 by guillotine choke. 
Stay tuned for Part 2 of 3 to find out who the crowd hottie of the night was and to see what happened to see “Ill” Al Iaquinta, who defended the lightweight belt that he won during my initial fight blog foray. Posted by Jason Nocco in the water gap as he awaits Johan Santana’s cy young award ceremony later this year.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Why Congressional Hearings Are Ok
The Tank (and everyone else I know) oppose Congress investigating the Steroids and HGH issue in MLB. The Tank even wrote a dramatic piece on it saying he wants a tax refund. Most people say that the government has better things to do. I am a laissez-faire guy, one who thinks that less government is better and one who thinks that government regulation of business is in general bad. A capitalist at heart. Baseball is a business, a private business. I testified in front of the US Congress telling them to leave Microsoft alone 10 years ago. You would assume that I am opposed to the government holding hearings about MLB, right? Wrong. Private business is suppose to regulate itself, make sure that it provides a fair environment for competition, a good marketplace for consumers, and follows the law. I believe in government intervention in two scenarios: monopoly and market inefficiencies. Market inefficiencies exist in business all the time and the government has the expectation to come in and defend the consumer or workers. A good example of a market inefficiency is automobiles. Without governmental regulations, we would all be driving cars running at 15 miles per gallon. A market inefficiency exists in MLB with large markets and small markets and MLB tried to address that on its own. While the solution is not perfect, I am in favor of the luxury tax since it represents the industry self-regulating. That is the free market at work. Yankee fans who complain (and Mets and BoSox fans who will soon be complaining) I tell them, think of the alternative: Government controls over MLB payrolls. Since the workers are unionized, there are few market inefficiencies-even thought the players tend to be underpaid- from a purely economic point of view, not a "holy crap, he makes that much?" point of view. Remember that these players have a window of 10-15 years to make all the money in their life. Take a time value of money economics class and realize that some of the contracts are not as large as you think they are. There are other inefficiencies, like someone like A-Rod or Santana really only can work for a few employers (Mets, Yankees, Red Sox, Dodgers, maybe Cubs), giving the few employers the power, not the player. Look how A-Rod came crawling back to the Yankees, and despite the large contract, look how few options Santana actually had. This leads to players strikes every so many years, and that is ok too, I'll take a strike every decade or two rather than government price controls. MLB is a monopoly. There are no other professional baseball leagues in the USA. Combined with a handful of other sports (NFL, NBA, NHL) the MLB is also part of a professional sports oligopoly. This means that we have to hold baseball to a higher standard then say the corner grocery store. Baseball is expected to enforce the law of the United States and Canada and HGH and Steroids are illegal. Baseball is doing a bad job at policing itself, it lacked a drug policy until recently. Without a drug policy, then the government must step in. For example, if you were a drug dealer at a Wall Street firm, and your company had no policy to deal with your drug dealing and your customer's usage, the government would step in and arrest those who are involved. This is not that much different. Allegations are showing up that the league turned a blind eye on it all that was happening. MLB was not policing itself. Even the Mitchell Report has many questions as to its fairness. This my fellow sports fans is a clear case of an market inefficiency. A market inefficiency by a monopolist no less. Where else does the consumer go for remedy? The government. I don't like that is has come to this, but it has. If it takes the government to clean up baseball, then so be it. For its credit, the Government does not want to police baseball, but has simply held hearings. That is a warning shot. The next step will be to institute legislation. Baseball better get its act together before it comes down to that. It has been suggested that the commissioner needs to be investigated. I don't agree. I think he should be fired. Posted by Steve in Cairo, Egypt.
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